For more than 14 seasons, Dwayne Wade brought South Florida three NBA championships with the Miami Heat, but in a recent interview, he shared that he doesn't live in the Sunshine State anymore. In an interview on "Headliners," Wade told Rachel Nichols that he and his family left Florida over fears that they wouldn't feel comfortable there.

He implied that the move had something to do with recent legislation that banned third parties or school employees from giving courses on gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through third grade. The initial bill, which passed last year, was named the "Don't Say Gay" bill by Democrats who believe it bans any discussion about being gay in state schools.

Last February, President Biden called it a "hateful bill." Wade's 15-year-old daughter Zaya came out as a transgender girl, and the former NBA star won in court to legally change her gender and name despite objections from her biological mother. Via People, Wade told Nichols, "There's another reason why I don't live in that state. A lot of people don't know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions."

Wade continued, "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." Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, Wade's ex-wife, wanted to stop Zaya from receiving an updated birth certificate, but Wade said it was in Zaya's "best interest." A November court document about Zaya, who has labeled herself as a female since she was 12 years old, said, "This petition is about empowering Zaya to live her truth."

The petition continued, "A court order affirming her identity will allow Zaya to live more comfortably and honestly in all aspects of her life — from simple introductions and food orders to applying for a driver's license and filling out college applications." Wade is the father of four children and the legal guardian of his nephew, Dahveon Morris. The NBA legend praised how his father’s parenting, saying he tries to pass that on to his family.

Wade said, "Yes, I had to educate myself, and yes, I had to get a better understanding. And yes, I had to lose some friends along the process, but I never wavered on loving my kids and trying to find space to get the chance to understand them." Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, have publicly supported Zaya and the transgender community.

Wade and his family currently live in Los Angeles. Sadly, Dwayne Wade felt his family wouldn't be safe in Florida, but he had to do what was best for his family. We can assume it wasn't a decision that was made lightly and considered the inputs of his other family members. Wade may miss some things about Florida, but his family's safety is the most important. Hopefully, Wade and his family will feel safer in Los Angeles, and they can continue to prosper and flourish.