Dwayne Wade’s 15-Year-Old Daughter Zaya’s Legal Petition For A Name & Gender Change Granted By An LA County Judge

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Dwayne Wade’s transgender daughter Zaya’s legal petition for a name and gender change was just officially granted.

RELATED: Gabrielle Union Opens Up About Stepdaughter Zaya Wade’s Coming Out Journey, Says She Felt ‘Outed’ On Instagram

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the 15-year-old’s new name is Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. In addition to granting her legal name change, a Los Angeles County judge also ruled in favor of her official gender change from male to female. Court documents also show Zaya will be issued a new birth certificate recognizing her new name and gender. Zaya’s petition for name and gender change was originally filed last August and had been circulating the court system through this point. In 2020, Zaya officially came out as trans to the support of her father and his current wife, Gabrielle Union.

Zaya’s biological mother, Wade’s ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, was reportedly not on the same page as the former NBA champion regarding the transition for their child. In fact, last November, Wade-Funches actually contested Zaya’s legal petition for name and gender change by filing an objection that alleged Wade was “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.”

RELATED: Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union Asked ‘Pose’ Cast About Pronouns For Daughter

The objection Wade-Funches filed also alleged her ex-husband was attempting to “circumvent the requirements of the Illinois final custody order judgment entered on March 14, 2011.” Per the terms of the judgment, both parties were to “discuss with and obtain input in the major decisions affecting care, welfare, activities, health, education and religious upbringing,” of their daughter before any major decisions were made by either party.

Wade reportedly described Funches-Wade’s opposition to the move as “nonsensical,” and previously expressed his belief the transition will help their daughter feel more confident.

RELATED: Dwyane Wade’s Ex-Wife Accuses Him Of Exploiting And ‘Pressuring’ Their Daughter Zaya’s Gender Change For Financial Gain

In the past, Wade has expressed his concern for Zaya’s well-being, such as last year at the Time100 Gala and Summit event when he revealed his biggest fears associated with her transition.

“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,” he said. “And not just because of gun violence, but because of the way people perceive her in this world.” He also previously addressed states such as Louisiana enacting controversial trans sports bans, which has since become a reality in Florida — where Wade purchased a $19 million dollar mansion for his family in 2022.

The family’s troubles in The Sunshine state don’t end there either. Earlier this month, Union spoke about criticizing Disney for the company’s lack of response to Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signing the Parental Rights In Education bill in 2022 at the premiere of the Disney+ movie Cheaper by the Dozen — in which she stars in the role of the character Zoey Baker. Alternatively known as the “Don’t Say Gay,” bill, the legislation now prohibits teachers from teaching children about sexual orientation or gender identity “in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate.”

Check out Union’s critical comments about Disney below.

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