Dwyane Wade rips ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade’s try to block their transgender daughter Zaya, 15, from legally changing her name and gender
- Wade answered ex-wife’s opposition to petition to allow Zaya legal changesÂ
- Funches-Wade said NBA alum was looking to finically exploit Zaya’s story amid business opportunities with companies including DisneyÂ
- Wade’s legal team said Funches-Wade’s claims were ‘libelous’ and ‘nonsensical’Â
Dwyane Wade said his transgender daughter Zaya, 15, should be legally permitted to change her name and gender, amid an attempt from his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade to block the move.
Wade, 40, said that Funches-Wade’s opposition to a court petition to allow Zaya the legal changes was ‘libelous’ and ‘nonsensical,’ TMZ reported after reviewing court docs in the cast Tuesday.
Funches-Wade told the court earlier this month that the NBA alum was looking to finically exploit Zaya’s story amid business opportunities with companies including Disney.
The latest:Â Dwyane Wade said his transgender daughter Zaya, 15, should be legally permitted to change her name and gender amid a legal attempt from his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade sought to block the move
Wade, who played for the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls during his career, told the court that it was in the ‘best interest’ of Zaya to approve the petition.
He said that ‘a court order affirming her identity will allow Zaya to live more comfortably and honestly in all aspects of her life – from simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver’s license and filling out college applications.’
Wade said the ‘petition is about allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy.’
Wade’s lawyers added, ‘Siohvaughn’s allegations are libelous at their core, and are, at best, nonsensical. Dwyane filed this Petition because Zaya asked him to.’
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Wade, who played for the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls during his career, told the court that it was in the ‘best interest’ of Zaya to approve the petition. Pictured in June in NYCÂ Â
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, Zaya’s mother, previously said in court docs that she believed 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’
Zaya, who has inked modeling contracts with brands such as Tiffany, was seen attending Paris Fashion Week last monthÂ
In August, Wade filed a petition to allow Zaya to legally change her gender, and name from Zion Malachi Airamis Wade to Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. Zaya has been going by the name of Zaya for two years.
Funches-Wade previously said in court docs that she believed 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.’
Wade took to Instagram earlier this month in response to the legal battle, saying, ‘Since this must be the new way of parenting, I guess I have to address these allegations here, which is a damn shame.
‘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 finds ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children.’
Dwyane Wade, Zaya Wade, and Gabrielle Union were snapped in LA last yearÂ
Wade said that Funches-Wade is an ‘absent parent’ who has made little effort to raise Zaya.
‘She has not been to a school, recital, graduation, school dance, play date, practice, parent teacher conference etc and Zaya has given her every opportunity to try to get to know her,’ Wade said.
He ended the post in saying, ‘I will not sit on my hands this time and allow her to make a mockery of my dedication to my family. The high road has run out of real estate.
‘My lawyer will be in contact and best of luck to [Funches-Wade’s] 14th lawyer as they try to unravel this book of lies that’s been sold to them.’Â
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