Dwyane Wade’s transgender daughter has been granted an official name change, according to multiple reports.
Wade filed a petition in court last year to change his child’s name. The 15-year-old was born a boy named Zion Malachi Airamis Wade. Following an intense court battle between Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, a court finally came through on his side.
Zaya’s mother contested a legal petition by Wade to allow their daughter to change her name and gender officially. Court documents say Siohvaughn claimed that their child was being pressured financially to make the decision.
Funches-Wade further argues that Wade was trying to profit off Zaya’s transition, and he “may be pressuring” Zaya over potential “financial opportunities,” allegations the former NBA star called “nonsensical” and “libelous at their core.”
The two were married in 2007 but divorced in 2010. They have been at odds with each other ever since.
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“I’ve 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! She won’t do it!” Wade wrote about his ex in an Instagram post in early November. “She has not been to a school, recital, graduation, school dance, play date, practice, parent-teacher conference, etc and Zaya has given her every opportunity to try to get to know her. She won’t do it!
“As a woman who claims to be a good Christian mother, I’ve yet to see her make any sacrifice or effort to leave her own home to participate in her children’s lives in over a decade. Zaya is not that same 3-year child anymore and she’s screaming that to the world but most importantly to her Mother!
“No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them. This isn’t a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya. This is her life! All the while my wife and our village has been her rock in helping her pick up the pieces after heartbreak after heartbreak!”
Wade is now married to actress Gabrielle Union.
