Sin, sexuality and how Beyoncé became a lifeline
When writer Paul Mendez left the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a teenager, life took an unexpected and dangerous turn – but help was to come in an unlikely form.
Paul Mendez is a British writer, Beyoncé superfan and once devout Jehovah's Witness. Growing up in the Midlands, where his Jamaican grandparents settled, Paul was all about preaching, paradise and playing Monopoly with elderly ladies. But at 17, he was cast out from his congregation. Alone and looking for new friends, life took an unexpected and dangerous turn – but help was to come in an unlikely form. A story of sin, sexual awakening, and the salvation of 90s RnB.
(Radio listeners, if you are searching for the combined podcast version of Paul’s interview with Jo Fidgen - this is it!)
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Picture: Paul Mendez
Credit: Christa Holka
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
Podcast
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The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
