Gabrielle Union Speaks On Zaya Wade Being Granted Her Legal Name & Gender Change: She Gets To Be Exactly Who She Is

It looks like Gabrielle Union is thrilled about Zaya Wade’s recent name and gender change.

During a recent interview, the “Being Mary Jane” actress opened up about the teen’s recent name change and the impact it has had on her.

Gabrielle Union said,

“Last night she was just so happy. And we were just like, ‘Say my name, say my name.’ To some people it feels like paperwork but to her it’s her truth and it’s her reality and we support that.”

She continued,

“Being in her orbit, you wanna catch up, you wanna keep up…She’s incredibly smart and incredibly bright and a phenomenal leader. I’m just happy for her. That she gets to be exactly who she is.”  

Gabrielle Union speaks on Zaya Wade being granted her legal name change (Via:@etnow) https://t.co/mDClIAic4b pic.twitter.com/2DOPiH6obN

— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) February 27, 2023

As previously reported, Zaya’s father Dwyane Wade submitted documents to have the 15-year-old — formerly named Zion — legally recognized as a female with a new name back in August of 2022. Now, months later, an L.A. court judge recently granted the petition, allowing Zaya to be acknowledged as she chooses. The teen is now legally recognized as female and her name was changed from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.

Zaya Wade. Gabrielle Union, Kaavia Wade, Dwyane Wade,

While Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have been supportive of Zaya’s desire to change her name and sex, the teen’s biological mother Siohvaughn Funches hasn’t been on board.

As previously reported,  Siohvaughn Funches objected to the gender and name change and requested that the court impose an order that would prevent their 15-year-old daughter from legally changing her gender from male to female on her birth certificate until she is 18 years old.

Dwyane Wade, Siohvaughn Funches, Zaya Wade

In the court documents, Siohvaughn Funches said,

“I contend that our child should be given the opportunity to decide for themselves at the age of majority if they want to move forward with changing their name and/or gender.”

Funches also accused her ex-husband of using this as an opportunity for financial gain.

She suggested Dwyane Wade

“may be pressuring our child to move forward with the name and gender change in order to capitalize on the financial opportunities that he has received from companies.”

In the end, the courts granted the athlete’s petition.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

[VIA]