Wade spoke candidly about his decision in an exclusive interview for Headliners with Rachel Nichols, People reported. 

When asked about Florida politicians who championed strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the state, the NBA Hall of Famer said it was a significant factor in making the best choice for his family, including his 15-year-old daughter Zaya who transitioned in 2020.

“That’s another reason why I don’t live in that state,” Wade told Nichols.

He continued, “A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions.”

Wade, who spent most of his career with the Miami Heat, also mentioned Florida’s “great” tax benefits and his love for the city. 

“I mean, obviously, the tax [situation] is great. Having Wade County is great. But my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And so that’s one of the reasons why I don’t live there,” the 41-year-old explained. 

As Blavity reported, Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union-Wade, delivered a powerful speech and accepted the President’s Award at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards in February.

The couple talked about their daughter and called out the ongoing discrimination against other LGBTQ+ people in the country.

“As your father, all I’ve wanted to do was get it right,” the Chicago native said, referring to his daughter. “I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny. And even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of the house every morning as yourself. I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world … that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement.”

“As your father, my job isn’t to create a version of myself or direct your future,” he said. “My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams. Zaya, you’ve made me a better human just simply by being who you were born to be: our baby girl, Zaya Wade. So baby, thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I’m proud that I was chosen to stand in place as your father. And thank you so much to the NAACP for this incredible honor,” he added.