According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Dwyane Wade’s petition for his transgender daughter Zaya Wade’s gender and name to be officially changed on her birth certificate is being contested by Zaya’s mother and Dwyane’s ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade.
Wade’s ex believes the former NBA star should not make such a long-term decision without consulting her, as it violates the terms of their final custody order, which states that the co-parents “shall discuss with and obtain input in major decisions affecting care, welfare, activities, health, education, and religious upbringing.”
Siohvaughn believes the former Miami Heat star could potentially exploit Zaya’s transition for financial gain, in addition to the teen being too young to make such a decision.
“The Court must consider a number of factors when deciding whether to change the minor child’s name and gender.” “The minor child is fifteen and a half years old,” the mother’s objection states, adding that her ex “is positioned to profit from the minor child’s name and gender change with various companies through contacts and marketing opportunities, including but not limited to deals with Disney.”
She went on to say that Dwyane told her about the financial opportunities that await Zaya if she fully transitions.
“(Dwyane) invited me to one of his homes in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2022. She claimed in the official court documents, “(Dwyane) told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith, that a lot of money had already been made and that additional money will be made in relation to our child’s name and gender issue.
She continued, “This matter has received significant media coverage, and there will likely be media pressure on the minor child,” before stating that she thought Zaya should wait until she was 18 and make her own decision out of concern that the minor would face pressure from her father and the public.
Wade submitted a form in August to formally change Zaya’s birth certificate’s gender and name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
The sportsman revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February 2020 that he and his wife Gabrielle Union had supported Zaya’s transition from the beginning.
“First of all, my wife Gabrielle Union and I are proud allies and parents of a child who belongs to the LGBTQ+ community. We take our parental obligations and responsibilities extremely seriously.