A new LGBTQIA+ pop-up club at a former church in Sydney’s CBD has closed after being ordered to “cease carrying on offensive trade” or face eviction following protests by religious groups.
Up to 70 protesters from Christian and Catholic groups gathered outside Divine Playhouse on July 8 to rally against the venue’s opening night.
The church was deconsecrated in 1932 and has been used as a theatre for the past 70 years, but protesters have been picketing the venue over a planned event at the weekend, dubbed Sunday Mess — An Unholy Brunch Party: The Resurrection.
In posts circulating on social media, The Prodigal Sons and Fit For The Kingdom accused the venue of using “blasphemous” imagery that “mocks religious faith” and called for a $100,000 NSW government grant to be withdrawn.
The arts and event space is located in a former church in Sydney’s CBD. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
On Wednesday, Divine Playhouse said in a statement that following “pre-emptive action taken by our landlord, we have been forced to close the venue and cancel all events”.
It also said Meta had shut down Divine Playhouse’s social media accounts, as well as those of some LGBTQIA+ community accounts, including events collective Heaps Gay.
Some of the accounts have been reactivated.
“The arts have always been a place where people ask difficult questions, challenge ideas and use humour, satire and performance to reflect on the world around us,” the statement said.
“Not every work will resonate with every person, but the freedom to make and experience art is part of what makes an open, creative and democratic society.”
Kat Dopper leased the church for creative use. (Supplied: Anna Hay)
Divine Playhouse said organisers had acted in “good faith” and were working towards “a constructive resolution”.
“While causing offence was not our intention, respectfully, we heard those concerns and in good faith promptly made changes prior to opening,” the statement said.
‘Mockery of our faith’
Liam Aquilina said he gathered outside the venue on Wednesday to “pray against the mockery of our faith” rather than to protest.
He said he had taken offence to the use of Catholic themes inside the venue “not the fact that the church has been deconsecrated and that it’s being used by certain communities”.
“We had people dressing up as nuns… There was the sale of vodka or tequila labelled as unholy order,” he said.
Liam Aquilina said he gathered outside the venue on its opening night to pray. (ABC News: Floss Adams )
Although Mr Aquilina identified as independent, he said there were a number of different groups in attendance, including Prodigal Sons and Fit For The Kingdom.
He said he had witnessed aggression and “a few boys” yell insults towards patrons inside the venue.
“That is not what we’re about,” he said.
“That ruins it for the Christian faith as a whole. And all of us, most of us condemn that, that’s not what we’re there for.“
NSW Police said about 70 people gathered outside the venue on July 8.
A 21-year-old man was issued a move-on direction, which he complied with, a spokesperson said.
Heaps Gay Events organiser Kat Dopper confirmed Divine Playhouse received a notice of breach from the building’s landlords last week, demanding they “cease carrying on offensive trade” by last Saturday or risk lease termination.
Heaps Gay, which holds the lease for the venue, said it was exploring its legal options regarding the future of Divine Playhouse.
“Our priority has had to be the wellbeing of our artists, audiences, event organisers and staff,” it added.
‘Offence cannot become a mechanism for eviction’
Jess Miller was invited to attend Divine Playhouse’s opening night. (Supplied: Anna Hay)
City of Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller said council had supported Ms Dopper’s previous work, Heaps Gay and the securing of the lease at the former church.
Cr Miller, who attended Divine Playhouse’s opening night, said a lot of work and money had gone into transforming the venue into a “spectacular” creative space.
“Anyone who’s lived in Sydney, I think, has seen a drag queen … I’ve certainly seen more risque things at Mardi Gras and probably walking down the street, at 10 o’clock on a Friday night,” she said of the show.
Ms Miller said art and creativity was critical to the city’s economy and that “it would be remiss of us not to fight for and protect it”.
“Sydney has always had a really proud tradition of supporting art and creativity, particularly that created by the LGBTQIA+ community,” she said.
“So, you know, I think it’s really important to that as part of our economy, the creative sector in Sydney is worth $14 billion.”
LGBTQIA+ venue Divine Playhouse has been ordered to cease engaging in offensive trade by their landlord after religious protests. (ABC News: Floss Adams)
A NSW government spokesperson said the venue had been used as a performance art space for many decades, but “decisions about private lease arrangements are matters for the parties involved”.
Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) vice-chair James Thorpe said he was disappointed by the state government’s response.
“Offence cannot become a mechanism for eviction,” he said in a statement.
“If it can, every artist who challenges power is vulnerable, as is every comedian who mocks a sacred cow and every queer space that refuses to make itself polite and palatable.”
NSW Police said it was aware of another unauthorised protest planned for later this week and officers would be on hand to monitor it.
