Friday was an exciting day for NBA star Dwyane Wade and his family. Three years after coming out as transgender, Dwyane's daughter Zaya Wade's legal name change has been granted, and so has her legal transition, according to court documents obtained by People.
She's been going by Zaya since 2020
According to People, a ruling in Los Angeles Superior Court declared that the 15-year-old's full legal name is now Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade, and also granted her to have sex markers on her legal documents that match her gender identity. Considering how supportive Dwyane and his wife, Gabrielle Union, have been of Zaya, there's no doubt they're celebrating with her.
Dwyane and Gabrielle followed up the news with an emotional speech
On Saturday, Dwyane and Gabrielle were honored with the President's Award at the NAACP Image Awards, and the proud dad used the opportunity to speak directly to his daughter in his speech.
"I have sat back and watched how gracefully you’ve taken on the public scrutiny. And even though it’s not easy, I’ve watched you walk out of the house every morning as yourself," he said. "I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world…that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement."
Gabrielle stepped up to the mic to speak about LGBTQ rights
"Black trans people are being targeted, terrorized, and hunted in this country. Every day, everywhere. And there’s rarely a whisper about it," she said. "We honestly don’t approach this work as activists or leaders as much as we do this as parents — parents who love our children and will do whatever the hell we can to keep them seen and secure and safe."
She ended her speech on a positive note, adding, "We are hopeful that we may witness a real shift in the fight for justice: the moment the movement makes room for everyone — everyone."
Dwyane has always been an outspoken advocate for Zaya
In November 2022, Zaya's mother, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade, objected to Zaya's name change, claiming that Dwyane was trying to "profit" from the situation. But he was quick to take to Instagram Stories and lay out the truth.
"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 wrote at the time.
Congrats to the Wade family
This seems to have been a pretty eventful weekend for all of them, and it's wonderful to hear that Zaya is now able to (legally) be who she's always been. Here's hoping that only more exciting things are coming her way as this chapter of her life continues.
