Dwyane Wade has fired back at his ex-wife’s claims that he’s trying to come up off of their trans daughter, Zaya Wade.
On Tuesday, Wade’s ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, submitted a court filing that alleges the three-time NBA champion is trying to profit off Zaya’s name and gender change “with various companies through contacts and marketing opportunities including but not limited to deals with Disney.”
Wade caught wind of the allegations and took to social media to give his side of the story.
“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 continues, “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.”
Elsewhere in his statement, Dwyane claimed that Funches-Wade pulled a similar act years ago.
“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,” he adds.
“Zaya is not that same 3 year child anymore,” Dwyane continues. “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.”
Funches-Wade and Dwyane were married for eight years. The hearing to resolve the “parental rights issue” is scheduled for December 12th.
