On Feb. 24, Zaya Wade’s title change was made authorized by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Dwyane Wade’s 15-year-old daughter has been going by the title Zaya since 2020, however the ruling additionally acknowledges her transition, which permits her intercourse markers on official paperwork to match her gender id. Per People, court docket paperwork reveal her authorized title is now Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Dwyane first spoke about Zaya popping out as transgender throughout an interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2020. Since then, he and his spouse, Gabrielle Union, have been open about supporting her all through her journey. However, Zaya’s organic mom, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, opposed her daughter’s title change in a November 2022 court docket submitting. In the submitting, she requested that Zaya wait till she turned 18 to vary her title. At the time, she additionally alleged Dwyane was making an attempt to revenue off of their youngster.
The former NBA participant responded to his ex’s allegations in an Instagram publish. “I’ve obtained a social media publish about me forcing our 15 yr outdated youngster to be somebody she’s not and to do one thing in opposition to her will. These are severe and dangerous allegations which have harm our kids,” he wrote. “While none of us are stunned by Siohvaughn’s try to battle Zaya’s id and her unwavering try to tug my title by the mud, I’m very upset that she constantly discover[s] methods of centering herself and HER wants, with out regard to her youngsters.”
He went on so as to add that he was awarded sole custody of their youngsters over a decade in the past and claimed that his ex had ample alternative to get to know Zaya and higher perceive her wants. “I’ve given her the chance to achieve out to Zaya’s academics, medical doctors and therapist through the years and even meet her buddies, so she may get her personal understanding of our kid’s wants for her LIFE,” Dwyane continued.
In addition to Zaya, Funches-Wade and Dwyane are additionally mother and father to 20-year-old Zaire. Dwyane can also be dad to 8-year-old Xavier Zechariah along with his ex Aja Metoyer, and 3-year-old Kaavia James, whom he shares with Union. Additionally, he was the authorized guardian of his now-21-year-old nephew, Dahveon Morris.
The NBA legend has all the time been open about studying and rising as a father with the intention to be there for his youngsters. In 2022, he shared his recommendation for different mother and father in an interview with Today. “I feel we’ve got to proceed to develop as mother and father and perceive that our children’ lives will not be nearly us. We did not have them to be a mini model of us. They’re going to grow to be who they’re on this world, and it is our job to search out that out,” he mentioned.