Theodore Dereese Pendergrass, aka Teddy Pendergrass, was an American R&B and soul songwriter and singer.
In his 60 years of life, Teddy took 20 years to gain fame worldwide with his deep and strong voice. He worked with famous bands like MFSB, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and The Cadillacs.
Fans have had several questions about Teddy Pendergrass, including his sexuality since the day he released the song “I Am Who I Am,” as some reports say that the song was about transexual people.
So if you’re ready to know whether Teddy Pendergrass was gay or straight, go ahead with the article.
Teddy Pendergrass’s “I Am Who I Am” Was a Song for Trans People
Although Teddy Pendergrass didn’t ever directly mention gay, bi, or trans people in his music, a particular song indicates an indirect mention of transexual people. According to some sources, his “I Am Who I Am” was made for those nightclub performers who are trans.
This is an R&B and disco category song. Another songwriter, Gloria Gaynor, later remade the track for gay people and made it a gay anthem. He renamed the song “I Am What I Am.” This particular music made more people question Pendergrass’s sexuality after his death.
We must also mention that the singer didn’t mention himself as gay or trans in any of his songs. Also, there’s no declaration from him, such as he came out as gay.
Hence, based on a remake song, we can’t judge Teddy Pendergrass’s sexual label and misunderstand him as something other than straight.
Teddy Pendergrass’s Personal Life Says A Lot About His Sexuality
If a fan truly wants to understand Teddy Pendergrass’s sexual orientation, he must learn about the singer’s dating or wedding life. When we thoroughly checked and learned Pendergrass had wives and children, all our confusion ended.
Teddy had a girlfriend before getting married to his first wife, Karen Still. His girlfriend was his manager, also. Her name was Taazmayla. Sadly was found dead in 1977 on her house’s doorstep.
Bullet shots killed her. The case was never solved. After 10 years of losing his loving girlfriend, Teddy Pendergrass married dancer Karen Still.
His wife danced many times in many of his shows. They were a couple till 2002 and ended everything by getting divorced.
The “It Don’t Hurt Now” singer married again in 2008. He proposed to his wife after four months of knowing her. They were a happy couple and lived together till 2010, the year of Teddy Pendergrass’s death.
The singer, however, never had kids with his wives. He adopted 4 children. 2 sons and 2 daughters. The great singer’s love for his female partners is enough to make us assume his sexuality was straight.
Final Words
Teddy Pendergrass’s sexuality has been the subject of debate for a long time since there is not enough evidence to prove any claims.
A few groups of people who believe that the singer was gay or bi fails to provide hard proof to support their claims. However, most supporters believe Teddy Pendergrass was straight as he never came out of the closet.
