Gabrielle Union on Her Anti-gay Mother Role While Being Parent to a Trans Daughter in Real Life

Gabrielle Union The Inspection Jeremy Pope Zaya Homophobic Parent Dwayne Wade LGBTQIA+

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Sep 13, 04:39 am

Gabrielle Union told People at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival the challenges she went through in making her upcoming movie "The Inspection." The American actress said she was having difficulty portraying a character she didn't relate to. The "Bring it On" actress also serves as an executive producer of the film.

The 49-year-old actress portrayed Inez French, whose character is a homophobic prison guard who can't come to terms that her son Ellis French (Jeremy Pope) is gay due to her strong religious background. Because she cannot accept him as he is, she disowns him and sets him on a path to join the Marines.

"As an actress, I normally look for characters that have some chunk of me in them. I did not see that in Inez," referring to her role.

When asked if the upcoming film was difficult for her as a parent to a transgender daughter, Zaya, 15, the "L.A.'s Finest" actress, said she was first drawn to the entire wonderful story.

"I'm never going to reject my child"

The "Cheaper by the Dozen" actress is also a mother to daughter Kaavia James and stepmom to Zaya and sons Zaire, 20, and Xavier, 8, from husband Dwayne Wade's previous relationship. She said that she always looks at homophobes as "some kind of trash" as she can't think of any reason to hate a person being what they want to be.

The "Being Mary Jane" actress emphasized that "I'm never going to reject my child" as her children are not disposable and have the deep desire to be seen as worthy.

If a family can both heal and stick together, that only means success, the actress said, referring to the complex film inspired by writer/director Elegance Bratton's life.

Union's daughter first opened up to her family and eventually to the public. The actress instantly recognized that her child needed assistance as she didn't know what to do, The Blast reported.

Zaya not wanting to celebrate "Pride Month"

Retired NBA star Wade on the TIME 100 Gala Red Carpet earlier this year at Lincoln Center in New York City, talked about his family's view on Pride Month.

"Zaya was very clear that she didn't want to 'celebrate' Pride," the 40-year-old basketball player shared. According to Wade, Zaya didn't want to go to another Pride Month as she thinks she has come out multiple times already.

The couple, Union and Wade, have become outspoken role models for parents of LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) children, per The New York Times.