Yesterday, Page Six reported that Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife was
accusing the former NBA star of exploiting their trans daughter Zaya
and her gender identity for financial gain.
In court
documents where Siohvaughn Funches-Wade legally challenged Zaya’s name change,
Funches-Wade alleges that Wade “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 [Wade] 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,” she continued.
Wade
reluctantly made a post on Instagram slamming the allegations as “serious and
harmful.”
“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 finds ways of centering herself and HER needs, without regard
to her children,” Wade wrote.
“I’ve given
her the opportunity to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors, and therapists
over the years and even meet her friends, so she could get her own
understanding of our child’s needs for her LIFE,” Wade continued. “She won’t do
it! She has not been to a school, recital, graduation, school dance, play date,
practice, parent teacher conference, etc. and Zaya has given her every
opportunity to try to get to know her. She won’t do it!”
“Zaya is not
that same 3 year child anymore and 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,” he added. “This isn’t a game for my family and definitely not for Zaya.
This is her life!”
Once again, Dwyane Wade is showing exactly how to be a good parent to a trans child. He’s standing up for his daughter’s right to be herself and make decisions that she wants to. He’s providing her with the resources to be best informed and allowing her to be her most authentic self.
We could
really use more parents like him.
SOURCE: ADVOCATE
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