ICYMI: Future Starr (NEWS) FutureStarr.com Dwyane Wade's Daughter Zaya Legally Granted Name and Gender Change 3 Years After Coming Out
Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya has been granted her desired legal identity by TMZ Sports, reporting that a Los Angeles County judge approved of her new name and gender change this week.
Her father, Dwyane Wade, first petitioned the court on her behalf in August 2022 - more than two years after coming out as transgender. Now legally known by her given name Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade and permitted to list her gender as female on future official documents going forward, Zaya can finally claim legal independence from Dwyane Wade's influence over her life.
Court Documents Reveal Ex-Wife’s Opposition
In an unprecedented move, Dwyane Wade's ex-wife has objected to her daughter Zaya being legally changed and gender changed. Reports state Siohvaughn Funches-Wade is asking a judge to prevent the transition from taking place, believing her father is exploiting Zaya for financial gain.
Funches-Wade has filed objection filings stating she does not want her daughter to undergo a legal name and gender change because it would violate their custody agreement. Furthermore, she states she doesn't trust Wade and fears he is trying to pressure her daughter into becoming a transgender model or actress.
She further asserts that her daughter's gender change could result in discrimination and the inability to pursue her aspirations. Furthermore, she objects that being forced to wait until 18 years old before legally changing both her name and gender identity is illegal.
Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, 15, has recently been granted legal name and gender change by a Los Angeles County judge. As Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, she will receive a new birth certificate that recognizes her gender identity.
Court documents provide researchers with a valuable resource to gain an insight into how cases were decided, but not all court documents can be accessed online. Dockets and other public filings may occasionally appear on third-party websites; however, it's best to compare these with hard copies available from the clerk at the courthouse.
PACER is an online resource that allows users to view and download court documents for cases that opened since 1999. While PACER offers an excellent way for individuals to stay abreast of current cases, some information in dockets and filings may be redacted out of respect for privacy.
Fortunately, researchers can access court documents at no cost via several free resources. RECAP is one such example; it makes select PACER documents accessible to the public for free download on a quarterly basis, plus pushes docket information onto the Internet Archive every quarter. MCRO is another online portal providing access to federal and state court records free of charge; user passwords are restricted though. These sites are all free-to-use but require registration in order to use them properly.
Dwyane Wade’s Support
In February 2020, Dwyane Wade and his stepmother Gabrielle Union publicly supported Zaya's transition. Ever since, she has gone by her chosen name and pronouns - now legally recognized for it by law!
On Friday, TMZ reported that Zaya's legal name and gender change had finally been approved by a Los Angeles County judge. Her new identity is Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade.
Zaya and her parents have been waiting a long time for justice. Last August, Wade filed a legal petition in court asking the court to alter her name and gender to better reflect her true identity.
In 2002, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal wed high school girlfriend Siohvaughn Funches and shared custody of their teen with her mother until their divorce in 2010. Together they have two children: 20-year-old son Zaire Wade and 15-year-old daughter Zaya.
In November, Funches challenged Wade's petition to allow Zaya to legally change her name and gender. She asserted that Wade was allowing her daughter to make these changes for financial gain.
However, in an October Instagram post, Wade refuted her claims and stated that she hadn't proven why the name change wouldn't be in Zaya's best interests. Additionally, he claimed he had the 'full authority' to make decisions for her without consulting her.
Wade has been an incredible support to his daughter throughout this entire ordeal, always being there when she needed him most. In a GMA interview this week, Wade shared with Robin Roberts how much love and understanding he has showered Zaya with ever since she came out as transgender.
He further stated that he and Union would never pressure Union into choosing an identity she wasn't comfortable with. In an Instagram post, Union wrote that both they and he "never wanted to make a decision that we weren't satisfied with."
It appears the entire family is now on board with Zaya's transition. Dwyane Wade even mentioned how he and Union had been "spreading the word" about LGBTQ issues, helping to raise awareness for this cause.
Gender Identity
At 15 years old in 2020, Zaya came out as transgender and received full support from her parents Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union. However, her biological mother Siohvaughn Funches-Wade refused to legalize Zaya's new identity.
No matter the unconditional love she receives from her parents, being a teenager in the public eye can still be challenging. And that's especially true for transgender teens who often face transphobic bullying.
Dwyane and Gabrielle have always stood up for their daughter when faced with criticism or harassment, but they understand that keeping their family life private can sometimes be impossible. That is why they make a point to speak out publicly about their daughter's identity.
On Friday, it appears a court has officially recognized Zaya's transition as she was legally granted both a new name and gender identity. Now known as Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, her sex markers on documents will reflect her true gender identity.
But the transition process can be challenging for Zaya, so it's essential she maintains an open and supportive relationship with both her father and stepmother throughout it.
Since Zaya first announced her transition in 2020, the former Miami Heat and NBA star has expressed his support. Together with Gabrielle, he and Zaya have made it clear that they want to remain by her side throughout this exciting journey.
Wade and Funches-Wade have had diverging opinions regarding Zaya's transition, so it is essential for them to come to an understanding so she can receive support from both parents. That is why it is such a wonderful development that a court has finally accepted Zaya's change in name and gender - potentially helping reduce tension between the two parents.
Though Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya's case is relatively unique, parents sometimes disagree about how to raise their kids. According to Asaf Orr of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, having differences over how a child should be treated when they identify as different genders is common among parents.
Legal Transition
After years of legal battles with her biological mother, Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya has finally received legal recognition and gender change. A Los Angeles County judge approved the 15-year-old's change on Friday according to TMZ.
Though Dwyane and Gabrielle Union have long been in support of his daughter's transition, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade has always opposed it. In November, she filed a petition to block both her name and gender change on grounds that Wade was pressuring their child into changing for financial gain.
However, she later reversed course and gave Dwyane and Union her blessing for a name change and gender transition. Additionally, she added that she wouldn't require her transgender children to have any particular identity, even if they wish it.
Wade and Union clearly love and support their kids, especially Zaya. The teenager has made her transition public and serves as an inspirational role model for others in the LGBTQ+ community.
Her role as a transgender role model is to educate and raise awareness about the significance of self-acceptance, authenticity and inclusivity. Furthermore, she's been an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth as well as those living with HIV positive status.
She has organized multiple LGBTQ+ events and a youth camp for queer youth in Miami. Additionally, she has spoken out against anti-LGBTQ legislation and discrimination.
Unfortunately, even with their strong support network, it can still be challenging to navigate adolescence in the spotlight. This is particularly true for transgender, bisexual and queer youth who may not have as much access to resources and support systems as their peers do.
That is why many celebrities whose children are part of the LGBTQ+ community have come out in support. Read on to discover more about them and their families.
As a father, Dwyane Wade has done everything possible to support his daughter Zaya with her transition. He showed his support on social media last year, emphasizing how important it is that neither he nor his wife Gabrielle Union force their kids into any particular identity.
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