Zaya Wade Gets Official Name and Gender Change Granted
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An official name change and gender change have been granted to Dwyane Wade’s 15-year-old transgender daughter. A Los Angeles County judge approved the former NBA star’s petition on Feb. 24, according to court documents. Currently, the teen’s name has been changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade in accordance with her legal gender identity. Dwyane Wade shares his daughter Zaya with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches. After eight years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2010. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the retired athlete reflected on his daughter’s transition.
Dwayne Wade’s transgender child, Zaya Wade, is now legally female and her full legal name is Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. pic.twitter.com/RUbC6SfNM8
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) February 25, 2023
Our then 12-year-old walked into our house saying, Hey, I want to talk to you guys. It’s my intention to live my truth going forward, and I want to be referred to as she and her. I would love to be called Zaya by you guys, Wade said, adding that they were trying to get as much information as possible to make sure our child has the best possible life. However, Zaya’s mother tried to stop her former spouse’s petition from going through. Documents obtained by TODAY show Funches-Wade filed an objection to a Los Angeles County court asking Zaya to wait until she was “the age of majority” before making permanent changes to her identity.
Zaya Wade 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Na2n1MUvEr
— alex 💭 ⁷ (@nothnghppens) February 21, 2023
A Name Change And Gender Change Have Been Granted To Dwyane Wade’s Daughter Zaya
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As Dwyane Wade’s transgender daughter Zaya receives a formal name and gender change, it is a happy day at Wade’s household. According to TMZ, a Los Angeles County judge approved the 15-year-old’s new legal identity on Friday after her “proud” father petitioned the court in August 2022. Now that the teenager is legally female, she is known as Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. In February 2020, Zaya, Dwyane’s daughter with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, revealed she was transgender. During the divorce process, the retired NBA star and Funches, who were married for eight years, held differing opinions. Athletes, 41, have consistently advocated for Zaya’s right to live in comfort and honesty in all aspects of her life, while Funches, 41, claims that her ex is pressuring their child to change her name and gender in order to maximize financial gains. During a November 2022 filing, Dwyane referred to the claims as “nonsensical,” adding, While it would have been desirable for Zaya’s mother to be supportive of this important part of Zaya’s journey, Zaya should not be forced to delay her life until Siohvaughn acknowledges and accepts her truth.
By amending Zaya’s identity, he explained how simple introductions, food orders, driver’s license applications, and college applications would be in her best interest. As a result, Funches, who used her daughter’s dead name of “Zion” in her opposition, asked Zaya to wait until she was 18 to make the changes herself. As a response, the basketball player wrote on social media he is very disappointed in how [Funches] consistently puts herself ahead of her children. The divorced couple, who also share a 21-year-old son, called his ex a “disturbed parent” for allegedly failing to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors and therapist about her purported concerns – claims Funches insists were “completely untrue.” Gabrielle Union and Dwyane assured that they would never force their kids to comply with their wishes, much less force an identity on them. Dwyane explained that he was entitled to proceed without Funches’ consent since he has had sole custody since 2011, but that he let her know as a courtesy. Also, he co-parents 9-year-old Xavier with Aja Metoyer.
Netizens React on Social media
NEVER in my life am I allowing my ADOLESCENT CHIIIIILD “change” their gender. I will love and support you as a father should, BUT you will have to figure THAT PART OUT once you’re an adult.
— SANTI 909 (@vdr_909) February 25, 2023
This is unbelievable, a man would allow this to happen to his son. I am hurt
— Arise Hill (@AriseHill) February 25, 2023
It’s just on PAPER he did not let her get any surgery before all the 🤡 start talking in the comments. Just like it was changed, if she wants to change it back she can
— Risktaker Ezo (@EzoARisktaker) February 25, 2023
Gender has not been changed. The gender is still the same. If he’s gay and wants to dress like a girl, more power to him. No problem with it but he didn’t change his gender.
— Jakes Big Phone (@KempPhone) February 25, 2023
Terrible dad 👎🏿his son a baby when he turns 18 and then decided he wanted to do that. Then that’s his decision. As a parent you supposed to teach and guide your kids. DWADE gets the “L” for this nonsense
— @RESPECT_DA_ GAME_ PODCAST (@HS365tvradio) February 25, 2023
