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Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union slammed for treating trans daughter Zaya as 'fashion item' after being booed at Knicks game

Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union received transphobic comments while attending a Knicks game at MSG

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former NBA star Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union were jeered as they exited the Knicks game versus the Miami Heat. The 41-year-old, who played for Heat for 16 years, attended the match at Madison Square Garden on Sunday to see his old team humiliate the venue's squad. The three-time NBA champion, who is now retired and the father of transgender model Zaya, 15, was subjected to homophobic jeers as he left the game. 

In a clip, filmed by Adam Glyn, that can be found on YouTube, it has been seen that while many booed at him, one man from the crowd shouted at him, saying, “You mutilated your son.” 

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'Millionaire feeling oppressed?' Dwyane Wade slammed for saying family left Florida over anti-LGBTQ laws

Dwyane Wade vs Siohvaughn Funches: Duo in court as ex-wife says he's profiting off daughter's transition

Who is Dwyane Wade’s daughter?

When she was barely 12 years old, Zaya, now 15 years old and formerly known as Zion, came out as transgender. The daughter of former NBA player Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade has been given permission to use a new legal name following a seven-month legal dispute in February 2023. 

According to the court documents obtained by TMZ, the court has also allowed her to embrace her gender. She is now known as Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade after a Los Angeles county judge decided on her new identification. She was permitted to change her name as well as her gender from male to female. The petition was originally submitted in August 2022 by the former 'Miami Heat' player who had acquired legal custody of Funches-Wade and his two children in 2011. Funches-Wade, according to Daily Mail, opposed the petition in November 2022, claiming that Wade was forcing their child to proceed with the name and gender transition in order to take advantage of the money offers that he had received from businesses.

However, the court overruled her petition and granted Zaya her legal name and identity. The NBA alum said in the court documents he has “full authority” to “make decisions on behalf of” Zaya, as per RadarOnline. He further said this is “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,” reports Daily Mail.

Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, Zaya’s mother said in the court during that time, the former basketball star was looking to exploit the child financially and subsequently "gain a lot of profit." After coming out, Zaya has reportedly been offered modeling contracts from the likes of Tiffany, and Dove, among others. She also made her runway debut in March with Miu Miu. 

'My family would not be accepted'

The three-time NBA champion revealed in Showtime's newest series, ‘Headliners with Rachel Nichols,’ where he was questioned about Florida politicians who are admirers of his but also support LGBTQ legislation that is harmful to his family. To that, Wade replied, “That’s another reason why I don’t live in that state,” he said before adding, “A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions. Obviously, the taxes 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,” reports The Hollywood Reporter. 

'Turning pride to shame is the way forward'

As the news broke, the internet was split as some took the side of the former NBA star, while others were commenting the current situation surrounding him. One fan commented, "Being an amazing athlete doesn’t make you moral, intelligent, or willing to do the work required to guide your children through life’s trials." Another said, "Maybe he should stop putting his kid on display like the newest Birken Bag for attention." "They're wearing their child like a fashion item," commented the third. The fourth commented, "Looks like one good Catholic boy said what needed to be said. We need more like him."

While another supported Wade by commenting, "Wow - the replies on this thread calling them abusers when they are just trying to support and protect their daughter. You people are evil. Who the hell do you think you are." Someone else commented on his fleeing the state of Florida, "They just moved out of Florida to dunk on DeSantis, claiming that state is too intolerant to live in, only to get a stunning kick in the teeth from “progressive” NYC." One social media user commented mourningly, "Turning pride to shame is the way forward."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.