According to court documents, Dwyane Wade’s daughter, Zaya Wade, has been granted an official name change and gender assignment.
While Zaya has gone by her given name since 2020, her legal name is now Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, according to a judgement filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The judge also gave his official consent to the 15-year-legal old’s transition, which would allow her sex markers on documents to match her gender identity.
Since coming out as transgender in 2020, Zaya Wade has received unconditional support from both her former 41-year-old NBA star father and her stepmother, Gabrielle Union, 50.
However, Zaya’s mother Siohvaughn Funches-Wade alleged in a court filing last November that Dwayne was trying to “profit” from their daughter’s outreach towards a name and gender change.
Dwayne Wade responded to the allegations on Instagram, stating, “I’ve received a social media post about me forcing our 15 year old child to be someone she’s not and to do something against her will. These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children.”
“While none of us are surprised by Siohvaughn’s attempt to fight Zaya’s identity and her unwavering attempt to drag my name through the mud, I’m very disappointed that she continuously find[s] ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children,” he added.