Religious Trauma, Queer Identities

"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. 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 “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. 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.” —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 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. 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.