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Outlook: Sin, sexuality and how Beyoncé became a lifeline

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Paul Mendez

19/04/2021 GMT

Sin, sexuality and how Beyoncé became a lifeline

BBC World Service - Outlook, Sin, sexuality and how Beyoncé became a lifeline

Writer Paul Mendez’s turbulent teenage life as a gay Jehovah’s Witness and RnB superfan

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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