On Friday, a Los Angeles county judge granted the petition of Dwyane Wade’s daughter to change her name and assignment of gender legally.
While Zaya has gone by her name since 2020, her legal name is now Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, PEOPLE reported.
The judge also signed off on the 15-year-old’s legal transition that would allow her sex markers on documents to match her gender identity.
The teen came out two years ago and has since received much support in her transition, including support from her father, Dwyane Wade, and stepmother, Gabrielle Union.
But her mother, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, has come after Dwyane, 41. In a November court filing, she alleged that the NBA legend was trying to “profit” from their daughter’s move for a name and gender change.
Wade responded to those 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.
Wade says his ex-wife has had 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,” but says she was not willing to do so.
