Sommore is the latest comedian to fall on the wrong side of the trans community. The Queen of comedy made a joke in her recent Netflix special aimed at Zaya Wade and her family. While some found the joke funny, others felt it was ill-time and in bad taste, especially since Sommore misgendered Zaya Wade. Let’s take a look at her joke and what people have to say.
Outrage over Zaya Wade’s transition has been prevalent since it was first announced. The Wade family opted to address her transition publicly and allowed the teenager to use her platform as a way to educate the world on trans youth and their journeys. While she has been championed by several people, including Michelle Obama, others have found an issue with her making the change so young. Boosie Badazz was one of the first people to speak out against the Wade family, criticizing them and making assumptions about how Zaya will be handling her transition.
Recently Dwayne Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, got even more pushback when it was announced that they had bypassed opposition from Zaya’s biological mother and had her name and gender legally changed. They were the recipients of the President’s Award at this year’s NAACP Awards ceremony. While there, Wade said, “I want to take this moment to publicly speak to our daughter Zaya. As your father, all I’ve wanted to do is get it right.” Dywane commended Zaya for how she’s handled public scrutiny with grace, noting that it has not been easy for the girl. “I watch you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world.”
Michelle Obama reshared the speech with the caption, “I hope you’ll watch this powerful speech by Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade. This is what it means to show up for your child — and for all of our children.” Despite this recent outpouring of love and support, Zaya and her family were still the butt of the joke in Sommore’s comedy special. Titled “Queen Chandelier,” Sommore took aim at the Wade family, commenting that they felt left out of the #GirlDad moment following Kobe Bryant’s passing. “Hashtag Girl Dad was such a big movement that even Dwyane Wade and his son got in on it. The internet was accepting of the fact that the little boy wanted to express himself by dressing like a woman.” She goes on to say that the black internet was not as accepting and then launched into an impression of Boosie.
Kobe Bryant made the phrase ‘Girl Dad’ popular during a conversation with ESPN’s Elle Duncan. When Duncan asked him if he wanted more children, Bryant joked him and Vanessa were thinking about trying for a boy but feared they would have another girl. Bryant then admitted he would be fine with another daughter. “I would have five more girls If I could, I’m a girl dad,” Bryant stated. #GirlDad became a huge trend following his passing. Many black men began to post images of their daughters using the hashtag. The movement also garnered alot of attention in the media
While most people did not have an issue with the joke, they felt like she could have still made it without misgendering Zaya and calling her a little boy. “it’s disheartening, disappointing, and depressing seeing so many grown adults commenting negatively about Zaya. She is a child …. and a human being,” said one person. “Sommore’s new comedy special on Netflix was going really well until she misgendered Zaya on purpose… for jokes that weren’t needed,” said another.
Sommore has not responded to the backlash. Her comedy special is currently streaming on Netflix.
