After a long legal battle with his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, Dwyane Wade’s transgender daughter has been granted a legal name and gender change.
The Los Angeles County judge, who signed off on the new legal identity of the 15-year-old gave the final verdict on the case.
The teenage kid of Dwyane Wade is now legally female and her full name is Zaya Makachi Aramis Wade. Wade submitted the petition for the case in August 2022.
Zaya Makachi Aramis Wade is the daughter of former NBA player Dwayne Wade and his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches. Zaya came out as trans in February 2020 and the couple had different opinions on how to handle the issue.
While Dwayne believed and argued that his kid should be granted the right to live comfortably and honestly in all aspects of her life, his wife had the opposite point of view.
According to Siohvaughn Funches, the 41-year-old former NBA player was accused of pressuring their child into moving forward with a new name and identity.
She argued that Dwyane forced his kid into the new change so that he could make use of the financial opportunities that would eventually open up, following the incident.
Dwayne Wade responded to the claims raised by his ex-wife as ‘nonsensical.’
Wade also added that it was best for Zaya to have Zaya’s mother alongside her as it was a crucial transition that could change her entire life. But Zaya cannot be forced to put her life on hold while she waits for her mother to acknowledge and accept the truth and embrace it.
Wade also reminded that the change was in the best interest of Zaya and that it would only have a good effect on her future.
The feud between Wade and his ex-wife Funches over the issue of Zaya’s identity had been going on for quite some time.
Wade, who is very open about his opinions, has called Funches an ‘absent parent’ and has stated that she always finds ways to give importance to herself and her needs rather than focusing on the needs of her kids.
Wade also accused Funches of not reaching out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors, or therapists about the concerns that Zaya and the professionals had about her future.
Dwayne Wade, who is currently married to Gabrielle Union, also added that they would never force Zaya or any child to do anything against their will, and forcing an identity on them was one of the last things that they would do as parents.
Wade got married to Gabrielle Union after his divorce from Funches. Wade and Union also have a 4-year-old daughter Kaavia, from their marriage.
In his initial request, Dwyane Wade noted that he had the full authority to proceed with the case without any consent from his ex-wife Funches as it was Wade who had complete custody of their kid Zaya since 2011, after their divorce. He reminded me that the only reason that he wanted the consent or opinion of Funches in the case was only out of courtesy.
Wade made his point strong through a statement in which he made it clear that the case was not about Dwayne Wade or his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches but was only about their child Zaya, and what was best for her. The only aim of the petition is to empower Zaya and her decision and to help her live her truth, says Dwayne Wade.
Dwayne Wade and Siohvaughn Funches had known each other since their high school days. The high school sweethearts got married on 18 May 2002. The couple lived together for about five years and had two children from their marriage. Wade and Dwayne split in 2007.
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Even though the couple filed for divorce early, it was a very lengthy process. While Wade was granted divorce in June 2010, the complete settlement of the divorce, including financial settlements, took almost six years in 2013. Dwayne Wade was granted sole care, custody, and control of their two children in March 2011.
The 41-year-old former NBA player has four children. He had two kids with his first wife, Siohvaughn Funches named Zaya and Zaire. Zaire is currently 21 years old and their second child Zaya is 14 years old.
The petition was regarding their second child Zaya, who has now been granted legal permission for a name and gender change. Wade got married to Gabrielle Union on August 30, 2014.
The couple has a daughter named Kaavia James, who is currently four years old. Apart from his two marriages, Dwayne Wade also shares another kid with Aja Metoyer, named Xavier. Wade had a short-term relationship with Aja Metoyer when he and Gabriella Union took a break from each other.
