A meek young man struggling with his identity winds up in prison and reinvents himself as an empowered woman with nothing to lose.

SYNOPSIS:

From a young age, Danny Peterson never really felt like a boy as he identified more with his feminine side. From the age of ten to eighteen Danny has been tormented and bullied relentlessly by a high school jock named Billy. At home, Danny’s father struggles with his son’s femininity. After an assault by Billy at the dairy shack brings back old memories of a past violent encounter, Danny steals one of his dad’s guns and, during a scuffle at school, shoots Billy in the leg.

Danny is sentenced to three years in state prison. Danny is thrown to the wolves and put into a cell with Nero, a violent rapist who is supplying drugs in the prison via one of the correctional officers. Danny is raped by Nero his first night in prison and forced to be Nero’s bitch.

Danny, struggling with this turns to a friend - Sweet - and his gang made up of Mexican misfits headed by Romero. Sweet guides Danny through the emotional trauma of his past and what he’s going through. Sweet knows Danny prefers his feminine side but also knows Danny’s not gay. Sweet gives Danny the label of being “transgender” and everything starts to click into place.

Meanwhile, Romero gives Danny a tool to defend himself against Nero - an anal plug fitted with spikes. He does and Nero is taken to the prison infirmary.. CO Sargent Greg Maslik, Danny’s dad’s friend, fires the corrupt CO and Danny's life in prison takes a turn for the better. As a prison right of passage, Danny gets a tattoo of “Kalifornia” on his back.

Danny is released and goes back into the world. After learning that his dad is dead, Danny gets permission to be whoever he wants and finds himself in California. Now living as a woman, Danni is subject to various prejudice but finds herself at home working in a cafe.

One chance encounter finds her being outed in front of the shop but, as luck has it, Madison - an old school friend turned porn producer - is in the cafe. This leads to an opportunity in alternative porn and, soon, Danni and Madison become rich and well-known for their videos.

Still, problems arise for several reasons, primarily that Danni and Madison become intimate emotionally to the chagrin of Madison’s gangster boyfriend. On top of this, Danni is never properly recognized as being a star and, through the dismissal of her new personality, Danni becomes more rage-driven and unstable. Danni confronts Nicki about contract money owed from video sales and Nicki goes gangster on Danni threatening his life. Danni gets a suprise visit from Kimberley - the only person to truly accept Danni - She asks Danni to come home for the Holidays.

Danni goes home and waits for Kimberly at a local bar. Billy is there but does not recognize Danni and tries to pick Danni up. Danni plays along and traps Billy in a web of lies giving rise to Danni's anger just as Kimberly enters the bar. When Billy becomes aggressive Danni pulls a gun on him threatens to finish what he started in high school.

After leaving the bar Kimberly is upset and tells Danni she's not the person she remembers (that Danny would never have pulled a gun on any body)She tells Danni to leave California and stay with her. Kimberly introduces Danni to his four year old daughter. Danni promises Kim he will come back for her but he must return to California first.

Motivated by the rekindling of their relationship, Danni decides to steal her cut of the porn profits from Nicki. She does and makes her way back to Kimberly. Knowing Nicki will come after her Danni hides the money and writes a letter to Kimberly. As Danni waits for Kimberly in the same bar where he confronted Billy, Danni is caught and killed by Nero's brother who we learn was tipped off by Billy.

At the end we see Kimberly go to the mailbox and read the letter in a voice over from Danni, a heartfelt apology and where to find the money.

DANNY XY KALIFORNIA