Following an intense court battle between Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, a court has finally issued a legal name change and gender change for their daughter, Zaya.
Last November, Zaya’s mother contested a legal petition by Wade to allow their daughter to change her name and gender officially. In court documents obtained by The Blast, Siohvaughn claimed that their child was being pressured financially to make the decision.
Read on to learn more.
Zaya Wade Issued Legal Name And Gender Change
Friday in Los Angeles, the judge granted Dwyane Wade’s legal petition to change daughter Zaya’s name and gender after an objection from his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade.
A court document obtained by The Blast states that “The Petition for Recognition of Minor’s Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth Certificate filed by Zion Malachi Airamis Wade, by and through gal, Dwyane T. Wade, Jr. on 08/22/2022 is Granted in Part.”
It continues that the “Decree is signed and filed. The Petitioner’s name is changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade is changed to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. The gender of the Petitioner is changed from male to female.”
According to the court document, Zaya is also to be issued a new birth certificate stating her new name and gender.
Zaya’s Mother Initially Opposed The Petition
Last year, in November, The Blast exclusively reported that Zaya’s mother tried to oppose the legal petition, accusing her ex-husband of trying to exploit his transgender daughter.
She argued on the basis of parental consultation, saying that Dwyane “shall discuss with and obtain input in the major decisions affecting care, welfare, activities, health, education and religious upbringing” of their children prior to any major life-changing decisions being made.
She further claimed that “there are multiple factors to be considered by the Court in determining the requests to change the minor child’s name and gender. The minor child is fifteen and one-half years old.”
The angered mother of two also added that Dwyane “is positioned to profit from the minor child’s name and gender change with various companies through contacts and marketing opportunities including but not limited to deals with Disney.”
Wade later refuted all of his ex-wife’s claims in an Instagram post, slamming her for trying to demonize him.
Dwyane Wade Slams His Ex-Wife For ‘Harmful Allegations’
Following claims by Wade’s ex-wife, Siohvaughn, that he was trying to exploit Zaya, the former NBA pro took to Instagram to call her out, calling the allegations “Harmful.”
Wade wrote in his lengthy statement, “While none of us are surprised by Siohvaughn’s attempt to fight Zaya’s identity and her unwavering attempt to drag my name through the mud, I’m very disappointed that she continuously find [sic] ways of centering herself and HER needs without regard to her children.”
He further added that he has, “given her the opportunity to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors and therapist over the years and even meet her friends, so she could get her own understanding of our child’s needs for her LIFE!”
The 40-year-old did not hold anything back as he deemed his ex-wife an “absent parent” for her refusal to attend a single “recital, graduation, school dance, play date, practice, parent-teacher conference etc,” and yet calls herself a “good Christian mother.”
The former Miami Heat player also pressed that he and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, have never pressured “Zaya or any of [their] children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them.” He stated that this time, he wouldn’t “sit on [his] hands” as Siohvaughn accuses him falsely saying that, “The high road has run out of real estate. My lawyer will be in contact.”
Dwyane Wade Praises His Daughter
The former basketballer, who obtained full custody of his children with Siohvaughn in 2011 after their divorce, took his time to praise his daughter for her intelligence and all-round good grades. Wade made sure to spotlight Zaya’s “4.0 GPA” and her being in “honors classes.”
The proud dad spoke on how Zaya manages to maintain her good grades “while navigating all this unsolicited and harmful attention and debates about her gender and sexuality from those who are committed to not listening to her, much less even knowing her!”
Wade and Union have both been praised by fans for the support they’ve shown their trans daughter, Zaya all through her journey.
