Arts & Entertainment
Teddy Geiger shares transition story
The singer/songwriter says therapy helped her understand her identity
Singer/songwriter Teddy Geiger opened up about her transition story in an interview with the New York Times.
“I can remember back to being 5 and looking in the mirror, feeling like a girl and wanting that,” Geiger, 29, says of her childhood. “But growing up in Rochester, there were limited resources. I’d never met a trans person before.”
Geiger shot to stardom after competing on VH1’s reality competition “In Search of the Partridge Family.” She went on to release the 2006 album “Underage Thinking” which had the chart-topping single “For You I Will (Confidence).”
“I was going through adolescence and having sex for the first time, but it was in this really weird context,” Geiger says. “I didn’t have a real support group.”
Geiger revealed she developed a dependency on cigarettes and marijuna and that she struggled with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies including perfectly painting her nails.
“It was the only femininity that I was expressing, so I wanted it to be so perfect,” Geiger says. “It was the only thing I could control.”
She entered a month-long treatment program and decided she needed to transition.
“I threw away all my boys clothes and started wearing makeup,” she says.
She publicly came out as transgender in October and began hormone replacement therapy in November.
“Because I’m willing to talk about everything now, people are then more open with me,” Geiger says.”There’s no longer this piece of me back there saying, ‘Don’t go there.’ I used to find that I’d sing songs and think, ‘Ooh, it sounds like I’m talking about that stuff, and I don’t want to talk about that stuff.’ But it was just coming out.”
Geiger is known for penning a number of hit singles including Shawn Mendes’ “Mercy” and “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back.”
“It was the first time I ever saw her sober,” Mendes says about Geiger leaving treatment. “She was like Teddy, but on steroids. There was this electricity running through her.”
Geiger released “I Was in a Cult,” her first single since her transition, under the name “teddy<3” on Thursday.
The LGBTQ organization Lambda Legal held its annual “Lambda Legal in the Pines” fundraiser on Saturday, July 25. The event was held at a house on Fire Island featured in Ryan Murphy’s 2014 HBO film, “The Normal Heart.”
Organizers say over $500,000 was raised to support Lambda Legal’s national litigation and advocacy work.
(Photos by Santiago Felipe)
Out & About
Come showcase your singing, poetry talent
Spark Social open mic night planned for Aug. 13
Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.
Get ready to share your talent or just kick back and enjoy some great performances. This event is a fun, laid-back vibe where everyone’s welcome to take the stage. Sign-ups are first-come, first-served, but you can also DM Spark Social on Instagram to reserve a performance spot. Whether you’re a singer, poet, or comedian, this is your chance to get on stage and share your art. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Friday, July 31
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, August 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, August 2
“Black Gay Flea: Summer Kickback” will be at 12 p.m. at Wunder Garten. This is a space created to celebrate Black LGBTQ+ creatives, artists, makers, entrepreneurs, and the community that shows up for them. Come spend the afternoon shopping with local vendors, discovering new brands, supporting small businesses, and connecting with people from across the DMV. More details are on Eventbrite.
Monday, August 3
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, August 4
The DC Anti-Violence Project will host “Soul Centered” at 7 p.m. at Thurst Lounge. This is not a dating event in the traditional sense. It is a space to meet kindred spirits, future collaborators, mentors, friends, or maybe someone who reminds you of what’s possible. Romance may happen, but it’s not the expectation. For more details, visit DCAVP website.
Wednesday, August 5
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social & Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. To register, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Thursday, August 6
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
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