According to accounts, Dwyane Wade’s transgender daughter Zaya’s legal name was accepted on Friday after her “proud” father requested the court’s approval in August 2022.
The adolescent is currently recognised by law as a lady; her complete legal name is Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Zaya, a child that Dwyane has with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, came out as trans in February 2020.
The former NBA star and Funches, who divorced in 2010 after eight years of marriage, had different perspectives on how to handle the circumstance.
The athlete, also 41, has battled tirelessly for Zaya’s right to “live more easily and honestly in all areas of her life,” despite Funches’ allegations that her husband “pressed” their child to “go forward” with a name and gender change “in order to profit from financial possibilities.”
Zaya shouldn’t have to put her life on hold while she waits for Siohvaughn to acknowledge and accept her truth, Dwyane wrote in a November 2022 filing. “Although it definitely would have been better for Zaya’s mother to be supportive of this critical portion of Zaya’s journey, Zaya should not be compelled to put her life on hold,” he said.
He went on to explain how Zaya would benefit from the requested adjustments to her identity, saying things like “simple introductions and meal orders to registering for a driver’s licence and filling out college applications” would be in her “best interest.”
Funches countered that Zaya should hold off on making the adjustments until she is 18 years old. In her defence, Funches referred to her dead daughter’s moniker, “Zion.”
“I’m very disappointed that [Funches] continues to find ways to focus herself and her wants without regard for her children,” the basketball star responded on social media.
