Cardi B has spoken out against transphobia, saying that trans kids should be able to “find their happiness”.
Speaking on her Instagram Stories, the rapper was supporting Zaya, the 12-year-old daughter of Bring It On actress Gabrielle Union and basketball player Dwayne Wade, who was recently victim to anti-trans comments from celebrities.
Cardi B said: “I feel like people are saying that this kid is too young to transition, but how old is too young? If you are born thinking that you’re a girl in a boy’s body, how old do you have to be to keep knowing that’s who you are? That’s who you are, that’s your identity. What’s the age limit to know that’s who you want to be?”
“Let people find their happiness,” the rapper continued, “especially kids. Let them feel comfortable (being who) they want to be. A lot of trans (people) that I know around me, when I ask them, ‘when did you know that you wanted to change?’, they say: ‘I always felt like I was a girl. I was born like this.’ People are born like that, like the Lady Gaga song… that shit is fucking real!”
The rapper’s comments come over a year after she had to deny posting a transphobic meme to her Facebook page. In September 2018, a meme featuring a cartoon character looking out of a window was shared on Cardi B’s account, with the accompanying text, “I hope nobody sees this tranny leave my house”, and a crying laughing emoji as the caption.
At the time, the rapper said: “It’s come to my attention there have been offensive posts made on what used to be my Facebook page. For the past year and a half, a FORMER team member has been the only one with access to the account.”
Whether or not Cardi B did post the meme, it seems she’s now determined to show her alliance with the trans community by coming to Zaya’s defense. Two weeks ago (February 11), Union shared a video on Twitter of Zaya discussing gender identity with her father. “What’s the point in being on this earth if you’re going to try and be someone you’re not?” She questioned. “It’s like you’re not even living as yourself, which is the dumbest concept to me.”
After the clip went viral, a number of celebrities criticised Union and Wade’s support of Zaya. In a now-deleted tweet, Young Thug deliberately misgendered Zaya, writing: “All I wanna say to Dwayne’s son is: ‘God don’t make mistakes’.” Another rapper, Boosie Badazz said: “Dwayne Wade you’ve gone too fucking far, that is a male. Don’t cut his dick off, bro. Don’t address him as a woman; he’s 12 years old, he’s not up there yet, he hasn’t made his final decisions yet.”
Cardi B hasn’t been the only one to hit back against these transphobic comments and show support for Zaya. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez commented on Union’s Twitter video, writing: “Hey, Zaya! We are all so proud of you. Your strength, intelligence, and conscientious worldview is impressive – thank you for being you!”