Shawn Mendes voices support for songwriter Teddy Geiger coming out as trans
Shawn Mendes (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Shawn Mendes has voiced support for his long-term collaborator and songwriter Teddy Geiger, who came out as transgender last year, saying people should “live how they want to live.”
Mendes, who is working with Geiger on his upcoming self-titled LP, was speaking to Billboard about how straight men can support the LGBTQ+ community.
“Just open your eyes and open your mind,” he said, “because, for me, going through one of my closest friends [Geiger] going through a very big transition period in her life, was incredible to watch.”
The singer then went on to discuss his experience of Geiger’s transition.
He continued: “There was a moment when I remember I referred to Teddy as she, like without thinking, and it takes time to be able to learn that, obviously.”
Teddy Geiger at the 66th Annual BMI Pop Awards earlier this month. (Leon Bennett/Getty)
“And the way she looked at me was this intense amount of joy that I swear if everybody in the world experienced one of their best friends experiencing that, there would be no questions.
“People would not be questioning it. It’s just not worth it to question it. Let somebody be and feel and live how they want to live.”
Mendes has been previously supportive of his friend coming out as transgender.
He recently told Billboard: “I’m so grateful to be going through this process with her because I’m learning so much from it.”
Singer and producer Geiger made her first industry appearance since coming out earlier this month.
Shawn Mendes performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards (Rich Polk/Getty)
Geiger made the appearance at the 66th annual BMI Music Awards where she was honoured for her co-writing work with Mendes.
Although Geiger has been regularly posting on social media, including subtle updates about her transition, this was her first major public appearance since coming out.
Many people took to social media to congratulate Geiger after the appearance.
“You rock Ms Geiger,” one fan wrote.
And television personality Perez Hilton, despite admitting in April that he would not put his son in dance class because “it might make him gay,” praised Geiger, saying: “She’s here! She’s free! She’s gorgeous!!”
Geiger is best known for her co-writing and producing work with Shawn Mendes, with credits including “Mercy,” “Stitches” and “Treat You Better.”
Geiger came out as transgender in October 2017 with a post on Instagram.
(@TeddyGeiger / Instagram)
Writing on the image-based social networking site six months ago, Geiger responded to a fan who questioned their changing look.
The singer replied: “Okay… because u asked nicely… I am transitioning.”
Geiger added: “I started talking about it with a couple of my close friends and family about a month ago and it’s given me the courage to start the process.
Geiger has also written for One Direction, Maroon 5, James Blunt and Tiësto, and released her own albums and EPs as a singer-songwriter.
