Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife is accusing him of pressuring their daughter Zaya Wade to legally change her name and gender for financial gain.
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade has filed an objection to Dwyane’s petition for recognition of Zaya’s change of gender and the issuance of a new birth certificate.
Zaya, who is 15 years old, is transgender and is asking to be legally identified as female.
Because Zaya is a minor, she must get permission from her parents and a court order to make the change.
Siohvaughn, who is represented by celebrity attorney Mark Gross, has listed several reasons why this shouldn’t be a go in her objection.
For starters, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade claims the former NBA star is “attempting to circumvent the requirements of the Illinois final custody order judgment entered on March 14, 2011.”
According to the custody order, Dwyane is to “discuss with and obtain input in the major decisions affecting care, welfare, activities, health, education and religious upbringing” when it comes to their children.
Siohvaughn’s second issue is that she feels like Dwyane Wade is exploiting Zaya Wade for financial gain.
Her objection states that Dwyane “is positioned to profit from the minor child’s name and gender change with various companies through contacts and marketing opportunities including but not limited to deals with Disney.”
“I have concerns 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.”
Siohvaughn explained, “In April 2022, (Dwyane) invited me to one of his residences in Atlanta, Georgia. During this occasion, he informed me that a lot of money had been already made and that additional money will be made in relation to our child’s name and gender issue. (Dwyane) told me that he intended to make our child very famous due to the name and gender issue and also informed me that there would be endorsements/contracts associated therewith.”
Lastly, Siohvauhgn Funches-Wade wants Zaya Wade to wait until she’s an adult to make a decision on legally changing her name and gender.
“(Siohvaughn) contends that the minor child be given the opportunity at the age of majority, which is two and one-half years away, to make this monumental decision for themselves. She has strong concerns that (Dwyane) may be pressuring or incentivizing the minor child with lucrative financial opportunities in order to proceed with this instant Petition.”
Dwyane Wade has previously opened up about Zaya’s transition and shared why he filed the petition.
“Our (then) 12-year-old came home … and said, ‘Hey, I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I’m ready to live my truth and I want to be referenced as she and her and I would love for you guys to call me Zaya.’”
Dwyane said he doesn’t need Siovaughn’s consent to file the petition and only made her aware of it as a courtesy.
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Source: The Blast
