The Champagne Slipper

by Joann G. Layne

The Champagne Slipper brings the reader into the world of transvestites and transsexuals. Meet Lita, the silicone body queen, who heaps revenge on all who cross her; Ms. Honey Babe, prostitute and streetwalker with a different plan; and the doctor who falls victim to his own greed and lust. Belinda, his young, beautiful, girlfriend, proves to be greedy, prejudiced, and devious. Jolena, his loyal, compassionate assistant, discovers her loyalty was mistaken for stupidity, while Marsha, whose only desire is to become a total man, is destroyed. These and many other unforgettable characters are both amusing and sad and will keep the pages turning.

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2005

Reviews

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very important piece of trans history. Joann Layne was a friend of the New York City trans community and did body silicone injections when it was completely inaccessible to trans folks through official means. One of her clients supposedly was Dorian Corey, hence the hidden body plotline that was also in Pose.

@transeldersophia on TikTok said of the unofficial transition providers of the time: “It was Ralph for hormones, Shiffman or Wesser for your boobs or your nose, it was Joann for body, and then Eliana or Susan for hair removal.”

This book is not the most well written book out there- it’s very pulpy and describes scenes of child sexual abuse in a sensationalist way. It also moralizes very simply. If you’re greedy, you get punished. However, the subject matter feels so important that those things don’t matter as much.

I read this as I’m recovering from my top surgery and this book made me SO grateful to have access to clean, safe, and trusted medical care for trans folks.

[Blank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun tale