Queer nightclub in deconsecrated church cancels events after Christian protests
Updated . First published at
An LGBTQ nightclub in a desanctified church in the heart of Sydney has cancelled all future events after protests from sections of the city’s religious community over claims it mocked and misused Christian symbols.
Divine Playhouse, originally called Unholy Playhouse, opened last Wednesday on Kent Street in Sydney’s CBD, turning a church that was deconsecrated in the 1930s into a “safe and inclusive space” of arts and nightlife for the queer community.
The venue opened last week as an arts and nightlife space and has already faced major backlash. Janie Barrett
On the venue’s opening night, multiple Christian groups, including The Prodigal Sons, gathered outside the 150-year-old building, opposing its imagery and calling for a $100,000 NSW government grant to the site to be revoked.
Greens MP and music and arts spokesperson Cate Faehrmann said the government needed to defend the queer venue from a “coordinated campaign of attacks”.
She blasted a “wave of manufactured outrage from dangerous conservative activists who want to police what art can exist and who gets to belong in our city”.
“[NSW Minister for Arts, Music and Nightlife Economy] John Graham has spoken repeatedly about rebuilding Sydney’s nightlife and supporting creative communities. Now is the time for him to show some leadership,” Faehrmann said.
“He should make it clear that the government will stand with artists, venue operators and Sydney’s queer community, not with those trying to shut them down.
“Also, for the premier to suggest this venue somehow shouldn’t have been allowed because the building was once a church is frankly outrageous.
“This building hasn’t been a church for generations. It has been a cultural venue for decades.
“The premier should stop pandering to culture-war outrage and stand up for Sydney’s artists, performers and queer community.”
“Once governments start deciding which artists deserve support based on political pressure, ideology or whether someone finds their work controversial, artistic freedom is in serious trouble.”
The deconsecrated church has been advertised as a safe space for the Sydney queer community. Janie Barrett
Landlord gives group notice
Before controversy arose, the venue had operated as a theatre and school among other community spaces.
The day after the initial protests, the venue’s organiser, Heaps Gay Events, received a notice of breach from the landlords claiming it had insulted and mocked the Christian faith.
It was given two days to “cease engaging in offensive trade” or risk having its lease terminated, leading to the cancellation of further events and an uncertain future.
“In circumstances where future public protests are almost certain to occur and are likely to endanger members of the public, our client considers that the time by which the offensive trade is to cease is reasonable,” the notice said.
In a statement sent to nine.com.au, The Prodigal Sons said its unease extended beyond the building having been a holy site.
“Our concern is the recent material publicly promoted by the venue, including imagery and performances that many Christians experienced as a deliberate mockery and misuse of sacred Christian symbols,” the group said.
“The publicly accessible material included performers dressed as nuns, exorcism parodies, references to ‘unholy water’ and depictions involving Holy Communion.
“There are many venues across Sydney where artistic and LGBTQ events can operate freely.”
Divine Playhouse back online
In recent days, the Divine Playhouse’s social media channels had gone offline.
On Wednesday, the social media profiles returned.
Divine Playhouse founder Kat Dopper said although they had been “forced to close the venue and postpone the events for now”, they were exploring legal routes.
“Divine Playhouse was created with a simple purpose: to provide a space where artists, performers, audiences and communities can come together through culture, creativity and connection. That purpose has not changed,” she said.
“Following pre-emptive action taken by our landlord, we have been forced to close the venue and postpone the events for now, while we explore our legal options regarding the future of the venue.
“Faced with this situation, our priority has had to be the wellbeing of our artists, audiences, event organisers and staff.
“We strongly believe we have acted in good faith throughout this whole process and remain committed to meeting our obligations as tenants and 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.”
‘It should concern everybody’
A petition contesting the queer space and its funding has received more than 5000 signatures.
Chris Nave told nine.com.au he launched the petition after becoming “deeply disappointed” at the themes and performances associated with Divine Playhouse.
“What concerned me even more was learning that the venue had received $100,000 in NSW government funding,” Nave said.
“I believe taxpayers have every right to ask why public money was allocated to a project that many members of a faith community found deeply offensive.
“This campaign has never been about hatred or attacking individuals. It has always been about accountability, transparency and ensuring that all faith communities are treated with equal dignity and respect.
“Our fight is not against any individuals. It is against what we believe, is a mockery of our faith, and is against the use of taxpayer money to support it.”
Prospect MP Dr Hugh McDermott MP has formally written to the arts minister, calling for an inquiry into the funding. Sitthixay Ditthavong
He added that Prospect MP Hugh McDermott had formally written to the arts minister, calling for an inquiry into the funding.
Fran Giapanni started a separate petition that had attracted about 3900 signatures in less than 24 hours, and told nine.com.au she believed the closure of the venue would set a dangerous precedent and damage Sydney’s already languishing nightlife.
“It should concern everybody if organised campaigns can pressure landlords into potentially removing lawful tenants,” she said.
“The Christian groups have framed this as a matter of religious offence, but to close a venue or terminate a lawful tenant’s lease because you disapprove of their creative expression would set a very scary precedent.”
The Prodigal Sons said they would hold another prayer demonstration on Friday evening.
“Stand together and show the NSW government that Christians will not tolerate any more disrespect toward our faith,” the group said in a social media post.
Create NSW and Heaps Gay have been contacted for comment.
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