Dr. Benjamin Hollenbach

Biography

Benjamin Hollenbach is a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Michigan. He completed his Ph.D. in 2022 at the same institution, following an M.A. in 2017 and a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College in 2013. His research focuses on LGBTQ+ inclusion in church life, particularly within mainline Protestant denominations. Hollenbach investigates how these historically significant faith groups, which have traditionally viewed progressive attitudes on social issues such as LGBTQ+ equality as mainstream, have faced challenges in recent decades. His work explores the advocacy of queer people within congregations and how these communities can reconcile belief and practice with inclusive actions. He aims to highlight the transformative potential of mainline congregations as spaces for welcoming queer individuals, while also addressing the internal conflicts that arise during the debate on queer inclusion. Hollenbach's scholarship seeks to understand how LGBTQ+ individuals navigate and contribute to their communities, ultimately serving as agents of religious meaning-making with significant implications for the study of LGBTQ+ religiosity and agency.

Research Interests