Dwyane Wade Asks Court To Legally Change The Gender & Name Of His Daughter Zaya Wade

Dwayne Wade & Zaya Wade

Dwyane Wade Asks Court To Legally Change The Gender & Name Of His Daughter Zaya Wade

Dwyane Wade is requesting a name and gender change for his transgender daughter, Zaya Wade.

Zaya Wade. Gabrielle Union, Kaavia Wade, Dwayne Wade,

According to court documents, NBA star Dwyane  Wade is asking a Los Angeles County Court judge to approve the transition of changing his child’s name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. Since Zaya Wade is openly transgender at 15-years-old, a legal guardian has to request the change in court. Dwyane  Wade also requested the court to issue a decree showing the minors’ gender has been changed to “female.”

Zaya Wade

Dwyane Wade addressed the mother of his daughter, Siovaughn Funches, letting her know he has the right to make this decision. The document read: 

“Pursuant to the terms of the Final Custody Judgment, (Wade) has full authority to make decisions on behalf of the petitioning minor, and he is not required to receive consent from Ms. Funches-Wade. As a courtesy, Ms. Funches-Wade has received notice of this petition.”

The 40-year-old confirmed Zaya’s wish to change her gender and name in an interview. He explained:

“Our (then)-12-year-old … came home and said, `Hey, I want to talk to you guys,’ then asked to be called, Zaya.” 

He admitted:

 “We’re just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self.”

He elaborated:

“To me, it’s a joke. This is our life. We live this.”

He added:

“When you’re out there making rules, if you’re not experiencing this, come and live a day with my daughter. Come and see how it is to walk through this world as her.”

He said:

“As blessed as it is for my daughter to have parents who can support her, I’m still afraid every moment she leaves the house. And not just because of gun violence, but because of the way people perceive her in this world.”

Dwyane Wade, Zaya Wade and Gabrielle Union celebrate pride

Wade confessed he is stunned by his daughter’s confidence in being transgender. He said:

“I went years without telling my chef that I don’t like cilantro on my burger — as an adult, it took me years to have the confidence to say that…My daughter, at 8 years old, had the confidence to say, ‘This is who I am. This is who I want to be.’”

What are your thoughts on Dwyane Wade getting legal permission to change Zaya Wade’s name and gender? Share your comments with us below. 

[VIA]