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.
This episode comprises part one and part two of Paul’s interview with Jo Fidgen. Part three will be available in the next edition of Outlook, or you can listen to all parts combined in a single interview on the Outlook podcast.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Picture: Paul Mendez
Credit: Christa Holka
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
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- Mon 19 Apr 2021 11:06GMTÂ鶹ԼÅÄ World Service
- Mon 19 Apr 2021 17:06GMTÂ鶹ԼÅÄ World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
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