The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

The Student News Site of San Francisco State University

Golden Gate Xpress

A date with Anyaka Munro

Jose Camins is a 28-year-old male passing time as a server at the Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco’s Union Square. He spends most of his day serving to the whims of “ungreatful customers who don’t know how to tip.”

While his days are made for serving others, his nights are made for serving himself.

Schooled in graphic design, he utilizes that creativity to allow himself to express his inner self— an inner self named Anyaka Munro. Participating in the drag world for a little over a year, Camins has achieved what is known in the drag world as “day-passing,” being able to go out in the day in drag and be easily mistaken for a woman, while performing as Munro.

“It came natural to me,” Camins said. “I knew who I was, and eventually just embraced it.”

While very active in the drag world, as of recently, he has taken time off to mentally prepare to participate in this year’s Miss Gay San Francisco.

“I think doing this will help me compose how I want to approach the pageant,” Camins said of his hiatus from the drag world. “But I’m making an exception for tonight since I’d get to perform with my troupe, which is something I don’t get to do often since I’ve been working on my solo gigs recently.”

Whether in his street clothes or in her evening dresses, Camins appears to be comfortable in any setting.

“It’s me,” he said. “I’m not changing for anyone but me.”

Jose Camins digs through his room, looking for a blank CD so he can burn the music for his routine for his performance that night at WPLJ's in Walnut Creek, Calif. on Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
After arriving to the Civic Center muni station, Jose Camins takes the escalator down to the BART station in order to catch a train to the 24th and Mission station where he will meet the rest of his troupe and prepare his transformation into Anyanka Munro. Photo by Gil Riego.
Jose Camins sits at a mirror before he prepares his transformation into Anyaka Munro in the Mission district of San Francisco, Calif. the evening of Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
Jose Camins looks at a compact in order to get small details on his face covered up with make up, the evening of Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
The Drag Troupe Tea Haus share a celebratory toast during a preparation session in the Mission District of San Francisco, Calif. Feb 10, 2011. The group will later on head over to WPLJ's in Walnut Creek to perform in the The Main Drag burlesque show. Photo by Gil Riego Jr..
Jose Camins applies more upholstery padding to the backside of his pantyhoes in order to give a more curved look to his figure, the evening of Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
Anyaka Munro looks for the approval of her other Tea Haus members in regards to her costume that she will be wearing the night of Feb. 10, 2011, at WPLJ's in Walnut Creek, Calif. Photo by Gil Riego.
Waiting for her drag troupe, the Tea Haus, Anyanka Munro stands at a green light, on the corner of North Main Street and North California Boulevard, across the street from WPLJ's in Walnut Creek, Calif. the night of Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
Anyanka Munro and her drag troupe, Tea Haus , perform "Lady Marmalade" as performed by Lil' Kim, Pink, Mya, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliot as the opening for the second act of The Main Drag burlesque show in WPLJ's at Walnut Creek, Calif. Feb 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
Anyanka Munro performs her final number, "Show Me How You Burlesque" by Christina Aguilera, at The Main Drag show in WPLJ's at Walnut Creek, Calif. the night of Feb. 10, 2011. Photo by Gil Riego.
Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Golden Gate Xpress Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The Student News Site of San Francisco State University
A date with Anyaka Munro