https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5627-390X
![Sample our Humanities journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5939/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Humanities.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
This paper uses an autoethnographic theoretical approach of constructive theology to create a framework of queer trauma theology. By exploring the relationship between trauma and queerness, I argue that queer affirming congregations and faith leaders must add a layer of trauma-sensitivity to offer queer people the space and tools required to reach a point of resurrection. Building upon the work of trauma theologians like Karen O´Donnell, I suggest that the goal of the work is not healing, but a divine remaining that I allegorize to the resurrection. The paper explores a framework of queer trauma theology that is aimed to be useful for affirming faith leaders in their everyday work. The last part the framework is exemplified through a queer trauma theological view of mourning, the Bible, and religious history.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank her supervisors profs. drs. Ruard R. Ganzevoort and Mariecke van den Berg for their support and helpful comments in developing this article.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 “God Bless Gay,” Queer Eye (USA: Netflix, 2018).
2 van Klinken, “‘We Shall Not Be Eaten by Any Lions’,” 131–48; van Klinken et al., Sacred Queer Stories.
3 Brinkman, “Transgressive Bodies,” 169–84; Cornwall, Clare-Young, and Gillingham, “Epistemic Injustice Exacerbating Trauma,” 111–30; Daniels and Cronin, “Un(En)Titled? Cissexism, Masculinity and Sexual Violence,” 149–68.
4 Brinkman, “Transgressive Bodies.”
5 Ibid., 169.
6 Tonstad, Queer Theology.
7 Ibid., 64.
8 Ibid, 129.
9 Bochner and Ellis, “Why Autoethnography?” 15.
10 Ibid., 9.
11 Ibid, 14.
12 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 47.
13 Ibid., 47.
14 Rambo, Spirit and Trauma, 4.
15 Klinken, “‘We Shall Not Be Eaten by Any Lions’,” 133.
16 Cornwall, Clare-Young, and Gillingham, “Epistemic Injustice Exacerbating Trauma,” 118.
17 Brinkman, “Transgressive Bodies,” 172.
18 Brown, “Sexuality, Lies, and Loss,” 63.
19 Petersen, Religious Trauma, 36–7.
20 Ibid., 181.
21 Infurna and Jayawickreme, “Redesigning Research on Post-Traumatic Growth,” 322; Park and Boals, “Current Assessment and Interpretation,” 30–1; Park and Boals, “Current Assessment and Interpretation,” 25; Jayawickreme et al., “Post-Traumatic Growth as Positive Personality,” 146.
22 Jayawickreme et al., “Post-Traumatic Growth as Positive Personality Change,” 146.
23 Rambo, Spirit and Trauma, 15.
24 E.g., John 20:24–29.
25 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 111.
26 Minister, “A Twelve-Step Guide to Resurrection,” 237.
27 Ibid., 232.
28 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 64–5.
29 Minister, “Transgressive Bodies,” 242.
30 Ibid., 236.
31 Jones, Trauma and Grace, 32.
32 Ibid.
33 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 56.
34 Jones, Trauma and Grace, 32.
35 Rambo, Spirit and Trauma, 21.
36 Minister, “Transgressive Bodies,” 234–35.
37 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 58.
38 Petersen, Religious Trauma, 21.
39 Ibid., 67.
40 Gozdziak and Shandy, “Editorial Introduction,” 130–31.
41 O’Donnell, The Dark Womb, 59.
42 Sanders, Christianity, LGBTQ Suicide, 103.
43 Petersen, Religious Trauma, 220–21.
44 Ibid., 181–82.
45 Ibid., 182.
46 My translation.
47 Jones, Trauma and Grace, 163.
48 Tonstad, Queer Theology, 16–47.
49 Klinken et al., Sacred Queer Stories, 146.
50 Klinken et al., 146.
51 Klinken, “‘We Shall Not Be Eaten by Any Lions’,” 136.
52 Ibid., 144.
53 First published on Lindsey’s Instagram story in April 2021. Text received in private message on 9 April 2021. Used with permission.
54 Petersen, Religious Trauma, 46.
55 Ibid., 47.
56 “Rev. Dr. Ed Egan: Profile,” LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (blog), June 2017.
57 Petersen, Religious Trauma, 48.
58 Rambo, Spirit and Trauma, 172.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Lina Landström
Lina Landström is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit, the Netherlands. She is a queer theologian whose research interests concern the everyday experience of the relationship between faith and queerness, currently focusing on ecclesiological perspectives of faith care for queer refugees.