Dwyane Wade fires back at ex-wife in new legal filing over their daughter’s name change: “affirming her identity will allow Zaya to live more comfortably”
Dwyane Wade is not backing down! Once again, he’s going after his ex-wife
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade’s decision to block their daughter’s name and gender change.
In new legal documents obtained by The Blast, the NBA star is claiming his ex-wife is not thinking about what’s in the best interest of their daughter Zaya Wade. He argues 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.” He added in the docs, “This petition is about allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy.”
As it was previously reported, Funches-Wade
first filed documents in court earlier this month accusing Wade of exploiting their daughter for financial gain. She argued that legally changing Zaya’s name should be barred… alleging, among other things, that Dwyane “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.”
Following her allegations, the former athlete immediately hit back with a lengthy statement. He said,
Since this must be the new way of parenting, I guess I have to address these allegations here, which is a damn shame,” Wade said in the statement shared on his Instagram. “While I’m on a life-changing trip in our motherland, Africa, 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.” He continued,
“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 ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard to her children,” he added. “This report came out while Zaya was in class. This is a kid who has maintained a 4.0 GPA in honors classes while navigating all this unsolicited and harmful attention and debates about her gender and sexuality from those who are committed to not listening to her, much less even knowing her.”
Going into further detail, he went on to say, “Siohvaughn tried a similar attempt over a decade ago (with equally damaging lies and causing irreparable harm to her children) and 13 lawyers later, I was awarded sole custody of our two kids as an active NBA player,” Wade continued in his statement. “All I ever wanted was to have my parenting time uninterrupted, as I knew that it would be a very difficult time for our kids to navigate their new normal. So Instead of actually trying to co-parent over the years, she’s left her home to see more lawyers and has taken the time to talk to more lawyers since I filed for divorce, than she’s left her home to actually see or have truly spoken and LISTENED to Zaya over all these years.”
“I’ve given her the opportunity to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors and therapist over the years and even meet her friends, so she could get her own understanding of our child’s needs for her LIFE,” Wade also said in his statement. “She won’t do it! 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. She won’t do it.”
Before concluding he said, “Zaya is not that same 3 year child anymore and she’s screaming that to the world but most importantly to her Mother! No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will, much less force an identity on them. This isn’t a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya. This is her life.”
More On Zaya Wade
Zaya, 15, has been going by Zaya since 2020. Back in August, Wade filed the petition for her name and gender to be changed legally.
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