Stella Pinewood
Following a court battle between Dwyane Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, their transgender daughter Zaya has been granted a legal name and gender change.
A Los Angeles County judge signed off on the new identity for Dwyane’s 15-year-old child in documents obtained by TMZ.
The 40-year-old former professional basketball player’s daughter – who came out as trans back in 2019 at the age of 12 – is now legally named Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
The judge also granted her official gender change from male to female. The petition for the name and gender was filed last August. Last November, Zaya’s mother contested the petition made by Wade, claiming that their child was being pressured financially to make the decision.
Since coming out Zaya has won modelling contracts with brands like Tiffany, Dove and amassed hundreds of thousands of social media followers. According to her mother, she is also in talks for deals with Disney.
The retired NBA star argued in court that he had the ‘full authority’ to ‘make decisions on behalf’ of Zaya when he was awarded custody of his two children in 2011 against Siohvaughn, RadarOnline reported last month.
Funches-Wade filed an objection to the Los Angeles County Superior Court in November over Zaya’s name change, accusing Wade of exploiting their daughter for financial gain.
In his latest filing, Wade said the allegations were ‘unsubstantiated.’ He also claimed that his ex failed to prove why the name change wouldn’t be in Zaya’s best interest.
Wade also said that Funches-Wade’s opposition to a court petition to allow Zaya the legal changes was ‘libelous’ and ‘nonsensical,’ TMZ reported at the time.
Funches-Wade told the court in November that the NBA alum was looking to finically exploit Zaya’s story amid business opportunities with companies including Disney.
Wade, who played for the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls during his career, told the court that it was in the ‘best interest’ of Zaya to approve the petition.
He said that ‘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.’
Wade said the ‘petition is about allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy.’
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Source: dailymail.co.uk
