‘We’re angry’: Controversial queer nightclub vows to fight after forced closure
A Sydney LGBTQ nightclub housed in a desanctified church has called on its supporters to protest the decision to terminate its lease on “offensive trade” grounds following religious protests.
Divine Playhouse, originally called Unholy Playhouse, opened on July 8 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 faced almost immediate backlash following its opening earlier this month. Janie Barrett
On Monday, the arts space said that its landlord, Revelop, a multibillion-dollar development company, had chosen to terminate its lease based on an obscure “offensive trade” law.
In a social media post, Divine Playhouse founder Kat Dopper hit back at the claim, noting it was a legal term that derived from “an 1842 NSW law implemented to regulate foul smells and industrial waste”.
“Never once in 184 years has a court been asked to consider if it extends to ‘moral’ offensiveness,” she said.
In response, the LGBTQ nightclub announced a snap protest on July 25 to “sing in solidarity” and “stand up for freedom of expression”.
“We’re angry - for us, for our artists, for this city and its people,” Divine Playhouse said in the post.
“They have shut down our stage, but they can’t shut down our whole community.
Before controversy arose, the venue had operated as a theatre and school among other community spaces. Anna Hay
“They can sing? Well, we can sing louder.
“If a landlord’s personal beliefs can shut down an arts venue, no stage in this country is safe.”
In a statement to nine.com.au, Dopper said Divine Playhouse is now searching for a new home after a termination that came with “no conversation and no good-faith engagement”.
“Our sense of injustice is overwhelming. Divine Playhouse was created as a critical new cultural home for diverse artists and communities from all over Sydney and NSW,” she said.
“It’s sitting empty, no artists, no audiences, the joy and community we built in that room, silenced.
“That’s freedom of expression in Australia right now: some voices get amplified, others get evicted.
“In this case it feels like bigotry masquerading as moral victory.”
NSW Arts, Music and the Night-time Economy Minister John Graham earlier described the venue’s closure as “a step backwards for Sydney”.
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.
The arts space has vowed to fight following its lease termination. @divineplayhouse.syd
Landlord gives notice after demonstrations
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.
Critics say they were offended by the imagery portrayed by people who attended the events at the art space. Anna Hay
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.”
Petitions on both ends
Dopper said that on July 8 “fewer than 100 people stood on Kent Street in protest”, however, in less than four days, almost 18,000 signed a petition to save the venue.
She added that more than $36,000 has already been raised to cover legal costs and support affected artists.
Fran Giapanni, the organiser behind the rally to keep the place alive, 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 arts space venue, Kat Dopper, announced that they will fight the legal battle to keep the space alive. Janie Barrett
However, a petition contesting the queer space and its funding has received more than 7300 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.”
Divine Playhouse said it would be pursuing legal action for the “unlawful and unjustified” termination.
Revelop has been contacted for comment.
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