Brief

A biracial, transgender and HIV positive man navigates a long and rocky road through abuse, racism, and sexism towards gender reassignment and redemption.

What We Liked

The topical subject matter of prejudice based on race and sexual orientation is an important contemporary issue. Several marginalized groups are represented in the book and that could lead to a niche audience of those suffering from rejection, depression, abuse, etc. as a result of their lifestyle.

Film: A film adaptation of the book could present a compelling look at the tragedies and triumphs of a transgender person. The complete character arc is well-suited for a film and could be potentially inspirational for a particular set of audience members.

TV: The book could be adapted into a limited television series that follows Jay through his pre and post-operative experiences along with the narrative about his life.

Key points: Emotional; Strong characterization; Cultural relevance; Reaches a specific underserved audience; Diversity

Synopsis

Growing up in San Francisco as a biracial, HIV positive transgender was a difficult proposition for Jay. The son of a Baptist minister, expressing himself was difficult, but by changing his name to J-Anus he was able to break onto the scene. While working at a gay club, and now going by the name Lady, J, he meets Lamont, a married businessman from Washington D.C. After a quick fling, Lady J unwittingly transmits HIV to him. Lamont gets full blown AIDS quickly and dies. Lady J receives a large inheritance from Lamont much to the chagrin of his wife, Natasha.

Lady J travels to Washington D.C. to finalize financial arrangements and he ends up going out on the town with Lamont’s lawyer, James. He turns out to be a vindictive drug addict who leaves Lady J out on the street where he is raped and beaten by some fraternity guys. James plies Lady J with heroin as he heals from the attack.

Arriving back in California, Lady J is addicted to painkillers and has to detox. Meanwhile, he teams up with his friends, La Trina and Essence, with the money and entertainment space left to him by Lamont to get a lucrative business going. When things are successful Lady J decides to go to Canada for gender reassignment surgery.

There are surgical complications brought about by Lady J’s HIV and other positive venereal disease status, that leaves her mishappen, but functional. Lady J now goes by the name Teresa Sanchez Black. She is immediately cast in an X-rated film with a man named Devlin. They soon marry but Teresa doesn’t disclose her HIV status until after the wedding and it drives a wedge between them. Devlin ends up having an affair with Frenchy which leaves her pregnant. Devlin ultimately dies from drugs and HIV while Essence also dies from blood loss after a botched bottom surgery. Teresa gets a job as a radio host on a queer radio station and Frenchy gives birth to an HIV positive baby boy she calls Devlin Jr. She forces Teresa to take the baby at gunpoint. Teresa takes Devlin Jr. in and he becomes the glue that will bring Teresa back into the arms of her family once and for all.

About The Author

Ms. Rafiki Chemari is an African American woman and a native San Franciscan. She is also a local member of 'The Screen Actors Guild' as a performer; along with being registered with (ASCAP) 'The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers' as a songwriter.