Dwyane Wade’s daughter Zaya granted legal name, gender change despite ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches’ resistance
MIAMI, FLORIDA: After a seven-month-long court feud between former NBA star Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, their daughter has been allowed to use a new legal name. She has also been granted by the court to embrace her gender. After a Los Angeles county judge gave the verdict on her new identity, she is now called Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Zaya, 15, who was earlier called Zion, came out as a transgender back in 2019 when she was just 12. Along with her name change, she was also allowed to change her gender from male to female. Former 'Miami Heat' star, who won the legal custody of his and Funches-Wade’s two children in 2011, filed the petition back in August 2022. However, Funches-Wade contested the petition in November 2022 alleging Wade was “pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies," as per Daily Mail.
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Dwayne Wade has 'full authority'
After coming out, Zaya has reportedly been offered modeling contracts from the likes of Tiffany, and Dove, among others. Her mother, 41, said in court that the former basketball star was looking to exploit the child financially and subsequently "gain a lot of profit."
However, the court overruled her petition and granted Zaya her legal name and identity. In court documents, the NBA alum said 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.
'Kudos to him for being supportive'
As the news of her legal name and gender change was revealed, social media gave mixed reactions. While many congratulated Zaya on her new legal identity, some raised concerns regarding a court’s role in affirming one’s identity.
One Twitter user commented, "I can't wait for the day where people just leave people's sexuality/gender/choices alone. You may not agree, which is totally valid, but respect people's choices." While another user commented, "That has to be a difficult position to be in; parents want to support their children but wow! when is "support" not support; conundrum; BUT! 10 years down the line if they're still OK with helping their child make what should be an adult age decision a la Caitlyn Jenner..". Another concerned netizen said, "I don’t follow D Wade much, but I was surprised he was so supportive! I would have assumed the opposite. Kudos to him for being supportive of his child."
I can't wait for the day where people just leave people's sexuality/gender/choices alone. You may not agree, which is totally valid, but respect people's choices.
— 🍄 #teamSASHA #katyasLUVR (@coloredspoons) February 25, 2023
that has to be a difficult position to be in; parents want to support their children but wow! when is "support" not support; conundrum; BUT! 10 years down the line if they're still OK with helping their child make what should be an adult age decision a la Caitlyn Jenner.. 👍
— E Coco (@scorpionov) February 25, 2023
I don’t follow D Wade much, but I was surprised he was so supportive! I would have assumed the opposite. Kudos to him for being supportive of his child.
— Nicole Arriaga (@nicmarriaga) February 25, 2023
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