Dwyane Wade's Child Zaya Now Legally Female Following Court's Approval

Dwyane Wade's daughter has legally transitioned from male to female. She now comes by her legal name Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, a ruling filed in Los Angeles' Superior Court states. 

A Los Angeles county judge approved Friday the petition to change her official name and gender assignment as well, People reported based on documents obtained from the court. 

The 15-year-old can legally use the gender she identifies with - female as her sex markers on documents. 

Her NBA star father and actress stepmother, Gabrielle Union, has fully supported her since coming out as transgender in 2020. 

Dad has Zaya's best interest at heart

The court's approval came after a court battle between Wade and his ex-wife and Zaya's mother, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade. 

Three months after the petition was filed in August, Siohvaughn disputed the petition made by her ex-husband by filing an objection, stating that Zaya was being financially pressured to make the decision, accusing Dwyane of exploiting their child for monetary gain, especially that Zaya has so many business opportunities with big companies such as Disney.

Dwyane denied the allegations. 

"(The) petition is about allowing Zaya to take on the milestones of being a young adult with confidence and joy," the 41-year-old father declared, as quoted by the Daily Mail. 

The retired NBA star described his ex-wife's statements as "unsubstantiated, libelous, and nonsensical." He even claimed she failed to prove why Zaya's petition for a name change would not be in their daughter's best interest. 

He further argued that he had the "full authority" to decide on behalf of Zaya when he was granted custody of their two children in 2011, and all he has in mind and heart is for his daughter to live a more comfortable life from simple introductions and food orders to applying for driver's license and college applications. And this can only be possible when the court affirms Zaya's identity of choice.

Read More: Dwyane Wade Dyed His Hair, Matching His Daughter Zaya's Pink Hair

Mom wants the legal changes to happen when she's 18

Zaya's mother expressed that she truly wanted her child to wait until she became 18 before legally changing her name and gender from male to female. 

Dwyane responded that Siohvaughn, whom he called an "absentee mom," does not understand their child's needs "for her life." This is because she has been given the opportunity numerous times to reach out to their daughter's circle, such as her teachers, doctors and therapists, and even her friends, just so she would get an understanding of who her daughter is, yet to no avail, Page Six reported. 

The two married in 2002 and share Zaire, 20, and Zaya. In 2007, Dwyane filed for a divorce and met Union the same year. The divorce was finalized in 2010. Dwyane and Union married four years later and share a daughter, Kaavia James.

Since coming out as transgender, Zaya has won the hearts of fashion labels and other brands who offered her modeling contracts. Currently, she models for Tiffany & Co., Dove, and other brands and has become one of the prominent figures on social media, having 638,000 followers on Instagram alone. 

Related Article: Gabrielle Union on Her Anti-gay Mother Role While Being Parent to a Trans Daughter in Real Life