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Saturday, September 13, 2025

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Arts + CultureLitWatch: 'Girl Shock' author Maria Konner on trans journey from 'tech dude'...

Watch: ‘Girl Shock’ author Maria Konner on trans journey from ‘tech dude’ to fabulous

New memoir takes colorful and important trip through the life of one of our beloved nightlife 'fembassadors'

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One of my favorite things in the city is seeing Maria Konner strap on a Fender and rock out with a band to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and other bangers, her skirt and highlights shimmering in the stage lights. For years, Konner has been a denizen of San Francisco’s nightlife: When not blasting music, she’s interviewing night owls and kinksters on her “Under the Golden Gate” video series and hosting cannabis-centric happy hours with DJ Dank, or hitting the piano for some singalongs at Martuni’s and The Cinch, or sharing a drink and a laugh with other larger-than-life personalities around town as an unofficial official San Francisco after-dark “fembassador.”

Now, with wonderful new memoir Girl Shock, she’s opening up about her journey from a straight ‘tech dude’ to a fabulous woman on the scene. The book’s subtitle, ‘I Dressed Like a Girl for Halloween, but Then She Took Over My Life!’ gives you a general outline, but the subject matter dives so much deeper, into Maria’s childhood, the importance of music in here life, and the thrill of discovering a sisterhood at bars like the now-closed Diva’s trans bar that allowed her to begin to live authentically—and naughtily (the book does not stint on the erotic side of her journey).

I was fortunate to sit down for a wee Zoom with Konner, as we took a trip through her life—and the importance of local nightlife and arts in helping people realize their full selves. (We also find out how she broke her piano bench!)

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Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.
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