The Queen Of The Boys

Eric Dayon Jumanne Mboya, 25, has known she was different since she was a little boy. She talks to ANDANJE WOBANDA about her journey as a Queer person and why it is important for allies to support people who are different.

- Andanje Wobanda

You know when I put on makeup and a wig, I look like a girl,’ says Dayon with a smile and a twinkle in her striking grey yes. It is the thing you first notice about her. The contrast between her eye color and her flawless caramel skin.

‘I have played around with different eye colors and I love drama contact lenses bring to my look. Besides, the current ones match my boyfriend’s eyes,’ she adds with a laugh.

It is important to tell stories of people like Dayon. People who have decided to live life as their most authentic selves. Born Eric Dayon Jumanne Mboya in Tanga Tanzania to a Muslim father and Christian mother, Dayon always struggled to fit in.

‘Ever since I could remember I have always felt like I was born in the wrong skin. Most of my toys were Barbie dolls and other feminine stuff I got from my mom, yet deep down, I felt like I was supposed to be someone different. I never knew about gay people or that someone could change gender - from the one assigned at birth. Even though I didn’t feel like I fitted in, I feared to voice what I felt’

HOW WAS THE JOURNEY TO SELF ACCEPTANCE?

When I went to secondary school, I tried to hide who I was but I couldn’t. I started buying nice colognes, a bit of powder, mascara and eye pencils just to enhance my appearance and make myself feel good. The assumption was that people wouldn’t notice.’

But people did notice. ‘I got questions on why I looked feminine. In our society, if people start calling you feminine, that is when the trouble starts.’