In an exclusive with Pagesix Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife stands by her beliefs that she is doing what’s best for her trans child, Zaya, by objecting to her legal name and gender change.
Siohvaughn Funches-Wade tells Page Six in a lengthy statement Friday that “countless full-grown famous adults” have suffered “severe consequences” from anxiety and depression — including taking their own lives — as a result of “public pressure and scrutiny.”
“I have both the mandate and privilege of protecting my children from these tragic events, well as the myriad of other negative things that have a tendency to impact those living in the limelight, but time will fail me to mention them all,” the author, 41, adds.
Funches-Wade points out that she believes God has called on her to “protect” her children.
“I’m by no means a perfect parent but I love my children with perfect unconditional love,” the mother of two says.
“I will also continue to do what the laws of this land allow me to do as a parent with the parental right and power under the constitution in courts of law and not the court of public opinion.”
Funches-Wade argued in court documents obtained by Page Six on Wednesday that she wants 15-year-old Zaya to decide once she’s 18 if she’d like to legally change her name and gender because she fears her father, Wade, is trying to influence her for monetary gain.
“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,” the public speaker said in the filing.
Wade hit back at Wade-Funches’ “damaging lies” with a post on Instagram, in which the former pro baller also claimed his ex-wife had made no effort to be involved in their kids’ lives. Aside from Zaya, the former couple also share a 20-year-old son Zaire.
“I’ve given her the opportunity to reach out to Zaya’s teachers, doctors and therapist over the years and even meet her friends, so she could get her own understanding of our child’s needs for her LIFE!” the ex-Miami Heat player said before calling the businesswoman an “absent parent.”
Wade-Funches tells us her ex-husband’s “derogatory” claims are “completely untrue” and “very hurtful” not only to her but also to their kids.
“They, too, like many other children, have experienced the excruciating pain and unique challenges that children suffer when their parents are divorced,” she says.
“I will not add to that pain by now responding publicly with malicious, or hate-filled, comments to Dwyane, despite his decision to say these harmful untruths about me, and despite the fact that I never went to the media or public about these sensitive private family matters affecting our minor child.”
Funches-Wade concludes by saying she will not speak “negatively” of her former spouse for their “babies’ sake,” adding, “If I had anything at all publicly to say to him it would only be one thing, ‘I forgive him again.’”
