A woman trapped into a man’s body

Trans-sexuality, unlike the common belief, is not a ‘trend’ or a chosen lifestyle. In fact, it is scientifically proven, with an unusually-high amount of female hormones for men and vice versa for women. Maya opens up about ‘her’ life.-By Joanna Nganda

Maya

When did you find out your trans-sexuality?

I was very young; I remember loving women clothes and shoes, and feeling like I should be wearing them, too. At first, I was scared of people’s reaction and my first ‘official’ attempt at showing my true personality occurred in secondary school. Back then, I experienced with clear nail polish and a very light makeup. Then, I started to dare flashy colors like pink and red and I was very surprised that the school administration and my classmates did not have a bad reaction. Actually, they couldn’t care less!

How would you define yourself, as a trans-sexual?

Well, I am a woman in a man’s body. I have a majority of female hormones and very few male hormones; which is the reason why I am as curvy as a woman although I don’t have a chest like theirs. It’s in my genes.

When did you start wearing typical women clothes and hairdos?

First, I experienced with hair. At 16, I had those small braids made with threads; because they looked like dreadlocks very much and my parents were okay with it, and it was only for summer break. Then, I found the hairstyle boring and started adding some color; next I decided to go for hair extensions and finally, wigs. When I got my first wig, I was so happy! It completed me. I bought my first dress 2 years ago. I thought that I couldn’t live in frustration because of the society standards. I’ll be myself and the people who love me will accept me as I am. Buying that dress opened up a new world to me, I could fully dress like a woman. A friend of mine offered me a pair of high heels and I started to buy my own as well. Now, I have everything I need, literally from head to toe.

Have you ever been aggressed because of your style?

Yes, I have. I have bad memories back in fifth grade, when my male classmates assaulted me after school. They were curious to know if I was a girl or a boy; so, some of them hold my arms and legs while others undressed me. For me, that was terrible. I felt assaulted.
I remember another day when I was walking home from school and some men on the street put a knife on my throat…somehow, I managed to get myself out of that situation. Another day I was in town, shopping near the old market, when a man noticed that I was a man and he began screaming “this is evil, the reason why “isi itakimera!” i.e. the soil is no longer fertile.” As soon as he started shouting, a crowd of at least one hundred people started to stare at me and follow me. I realized that anything could have happened, they could have lynched me and that’s why I kept walking normally until I got inside a bus, in safety.

Your dressing style can be quite extravagant, how is the reaction of your family?

Well, there are some lines that I cannot cross by respect of my parents; I don’t want to shock them. For instance, I put high-heeled shoes and dresses or skirts in a bag and I change later when I am not in the family house. Otherwise, they are used to nail polish and makeup. My father drives me to school everyday and he is used to my makeup.

How is the society reacting in general?

It’s rare for people to see that I am a man; in fact, I get approached by men every time I am in nightclubs! Of course, when they get too serious I tell them right away that I am not what they think I am. When I tell people some don’t believe me. All in all, people with the worst reactions are the ones who knew me when I was a child, people with whom I grew up. They look away when they see me, some greet me and later I can hear them say “see, that’s the one I was telling you about the other day”.  But I am not the only trans-sexual, you know. There are a few in Kamenge and Buyenzi, they can’t be 100% feminine like me; but they do use makeup, etc. There are even trans-sexuality cases upcountry!

Do you prefer ‘He’ or ‘she’ when addressing to you?

I would prefer ‘she’ but I refuse such small things to upset me. It doesn’t really matter which you use.