Shawna Virago is celebrated as a transgender pioneer in music, filmmaking and activism. Virago is a singer/songwriter whose music twists together roots rock and folk-punk, creating anthems for a new generation. A transsexual feminist icon for the Twenty First Century, Virago is a wordsmith in the troubadour tradition whose songs are slice-of-life windows into queer and transgender life. Her piercing observations about survival in a predatory world, sticking up for the underdog, queer love and gender outlaws are backed by the bittersweetness of her steady acoustic guitar. Her performances are celebrated for their compelling mix of original songs, storytelling and stand-up.

“sexy, sassy and genuine, no matter what sexual orientation you happen to be” – The Daily Californian

“Shawna Virago NAILS the bare bloody bones of tranny girl rage, fears, and dreams” – Kate Bornstein

A longtime favorite in San Francisco’s underground transgender music scene, Virago is renowned as a gifted lyricist and edgy provocateur. Her songs range from folk-punk to acoustic glam twang, with a dash of naughty queer Americana – with exceptional lyrics that range from sexy to sarcastic, polemic to political, haunting to heartfelt. Virago has a raging sweetness and raw humor that seduces the listener into joining the trans/gender revolution.

Virago has toured extensively in theaters, clubs, Festivals, Pride stages and colleges. Recent appearances include the National Queer Arts Festival, Tranny Fest, HomoAGoGo, Fresh Meat Festival, Tranny Road Show, Sex Workers Art Show, LA Pride, SF Pride, the Femme Conference and more.

It’s no surprise that the stark poetry of Virago’s songs is drenched in the imagery of street level activism; Virago has been an LGBT grassroots anti-violence activist for over 15 years. She is a founding member of TransAction, the police accountability group and is the Domestic Violence Program Director at Community United Against Violence. Virago was the first transgender woman ever chosen to be a San Francisco Pride Grand Marshal and served on the City’s pioneering Transgender Human Rights Task Force.

Virago is also the Artistic Director of Tranny Fest, the nation’s first transgender film festival, and her own films have screened through the U.S., Canada and Europe. Virago is a published writer and her newest work will be published in the forthcoming trans/gender variant anthology Gendered Hearts.

Virago’s academic offerings include the following workshops:

• Everything You Wanted to Know About Transsexuals But Were Too Afraid To Ask: A Radical Transwoman Speaks Her Truth
• Queering the Peace: LGBT Anti-Violence Training
• My Life As a Transsexual Rock Star Activist: Balancing Art and Organizing