Religious Trauma, Queer Identities

In a polarised milieu that too often posits “queer” and “Christian” as competing realms, this book explores the complexities of identity development, religious traumatisation, and the task of creating safe faith spaces in which LGBTQA+ people can find healing, particularly in the Evangelical context.  First, Joel Hollier examines the historical path of Evangelicalism, providing context for the current terrain of the “culture war” we find ourselves in. He then parses out experiences of gender/sexuality and religious/spiritual identity development, grounding them in an evolving theoretical base. Finally, Hollier offers a rounded critique of Evangelical church structures and mechanisms of trauma that hinder the healing process, along with potential sources of healing. Central to this work are the voices of LGBTQA+ people whose stories weave together a deeper understanding of the harms the Church has perpetrated, and the path forward.     

 

"Religious Trauma, Queer Identities: Mapping the complexities of being LGBTQA+ in Evangelical Churches is a timely and important book. Drawing on rich, in-depth interviews and a strong theorical foundation in sociology and psychology, Hollier explores the experiences of LGBTQA+ individuals in evangelical churches, both those who stay and those who leave. Hollier writes with grace, empathy and kindness. It respects and acknowledges the exceedingly difficult lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals in religious communities, and yet suggests some constructive ways in which evangelical churches might find more humanity in the way they treat those in their congregations. It is deeply engaging scholarly research, heart-wrenching in points, yet also hopeful. This is a book of social and cultural significance, telling a story that the wider community needs to hear."
(Andrew Singleton, Professor of Sociology and Social Research in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences , Deakin University, Australia)

 

 

"This book provides a sensitive and supportive exploration of the lived experiences of Queer people within evangelical environments – with view to provide hope, healing and affirmation for those previously seen to not fit in. The need to find and facilitate scope for religions and faiths to be accountable whilst creating helpful cultures inclusive of diverse sexualities and genders is vitally important, and an imperative set by Dr. Hollier."
(Jioji Ravulo, Professor and Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies, The University of Sydney, Australia)

 

 

"Based on in-depth interviews with a group of extraordinary LGBTQA+ Australians who were – and in some cases still are – people of deep faith, Joel Hollier’s skilful critical realist analysis draws out crucial themes, depths, and nuance. Scholars, pastors, and leaders will find here a necessary critique of the exclusionary practices LGBTQA+ Christians have experienced in churches, and a space cleared for trauma-informed and compassionate pastoral care in the future."
(Mark Jennings, Wollaston Theological College and University of Divinity, author of Happy: LGBTQ+ Experiences of Australian Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity)

“Hollier’s book provides a sensitive examination of religious trauma in the context of queer identifying members of Australian evangelical churches. The power of this work comes from its deep engagement with the lived experiences of individuals who must navigate the structures and practices of institutions which tell them that two elements integral to their identity are incompatible. Incompatibility is too benign a term to explain the extent of trauma which the people included in this book have experienced. In providing these stories through a clear academic methodology the work provides empirical evidence of harm, but also of the resilience and hope that emerges among those who experience it. The stories are grounded in a sophisticated academic commentary that locates their experiences in relation to theories of minority stress and microaggression. For these reasons this is an important book for both scholars and those who strive for churches to embrace the compatibility of faith and queer identity.”
(Jen Smith-Merry, Professor of Health and Social Policy in the Sydney School of Health Sciences and Director of the Centre for Disability Research and Policy)

 

Joel Hollier is a social worker and academic with a background in theology and pastoral ministry.  He is the author of A Place at His Table: A Biblical Exploration of Faith, Sexuality, and the Kingdom of God (2019), and is currently based at the University of Sydney, Australia.