S4E9 - Puddin', 35. Atlanta

Originally from a small town in Alabama, Puddin’s coming of age was divided in two. Outwardly, he was a devout Christian of the Pentecostal tradition and aspired to be a church leader. During sermons, homosexuality was always used as an example of the worst kind of sin. Privately, though, he struggled with his sexuality and was the target of abuse by a family member. 

After his family found out, he tried several different faith-based solutions for “curing” himself and, in the process, met other queer people like him for the first time in his life. A gay friend in college encouraged Puddin’ to consider - just maybe - that God didn’t hate him for being gay and, eventually, he left the church and moved to a gay commune where he learned how to live off the grid and love himself.  

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This episode was edited and mixed by Ryan Weadon. Rebecca M. Davis is the season 4 voice of Fruitbowl. Dave Quantic is the creator and host of Fruitbowl.

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