Dwyane Wade responds to ex-wife’s objection to daughter Zaya changing her name | Channel

Dwyane Wade

• Dwyane Wade has addressed a legal petition filed by his ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade.
• Funches-Wade filed a petition objecting to legally changing the name and gender of their 15-year-old daughter, Zaya.
• “No one in our house would ever force Zaya or any of our children to do anything against their will,” Wade said in a statement.

Dwyane Wade is speaking out after his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, filed to stop their daughter from changing her name.

According to documents obtained by People, Funches-Wade filed a petition objecting to legally changing the name and gender of their daughter. 

The documents allege that the former NBA star is “positioned to profit” from the change, expressing concerns that he “may be pressuring” Zaya for financial gain.

Funches-Wade is asking the court that Zaya make the decision herself when she turns 18. She also claims that “there will likely be media pressure on the minor child” to make the change.

Wade shared a statement on Instagram on Thursday addressing the claims.

“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,” Wade wrote. 

“These are serious and harmful allegations that have hurt our children.”

The 40-year-old – who also shares son Zaire Wade, 20, with Funches-Wade – made it clear: “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!”

He concluded his lawyer would be in contact about the court filing.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE:

Wade first spoke about his and Funches-Wade’s 15-year-old daughter coming out as transgender during a 2020 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. At the time, he noted that his child had decided to go by the name of Zaya and be referred to by she/her pronouns.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.