- 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.
- 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 government grant to the site to be revoked.
- Following the venue’s opening night, Christian groups including Fit for the Kingdom and the Prodigal Sons held protests outside the building.
- Divine Playhouse was forced to close after receiving a notice of breach from the landlords claiming it had insulted and mocked the Christian faith, leading to the cancellation of further events.
- The venue's organiser, Heaps Gay Events, was given two days to 'cease engaging in offensive trade' or risk having its lease terminated.
- Kat Dopper, the founder of Divine Playhouse, stated they were exploring legal routes after being forced to close the venue and postpone events.
- A petition contesting the queer space and its funding has received more than 5000 signatures, reflecting significant public opposition.
Divine Playhouse, a queer nightclub in a deconsecrated church in Sydney, has been forced to close just a week after its opening due to protests from Christian groups and a breach notice from its landlord. The venue, which aimed to provide a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, faced significant backlash over its programming and imagery.1245
On its opening night, multiple Christian groups, including The Prodigal Sons, protested outside the venue, calling for the revocation of a $100,000 government grant. The protests escalated, leading to a notice of breach from the landlord, which claimed the venue had insulted Christian beliefs. The notice demanded that Divine Playhouse cease engaging in what was termed 'offensive trade' within two days or risk losing its lease.
Founder Kat Dopper expressed disappointment, stating, 'Although we have been forced to close the venue and postpone the events for now, we are exploring legal routes.' The backlash included a petition against the venue that garnered over 5,000 signatures, while a counter-petition to keep it open attracted 2,300 signatures in less than 24 hours.7
The protests have raised concerns about the implications for artistic expression and LGBTQIA+ spaces. Greens MP Cate Faehrmann criticized the coordinated attacks, emphasizing the need to defend such venues. Meanwhile, City of Sydney’s Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller expressed concern over the abrupt closure, highlighting the impact on livelihoods.
As tensions continue, the future of Divine Playhouse remains uncertain, with further protests planned by Christian groups.
“Landlord Revelop issued a breach notice claiming the venue insulted the Christian faith, giving two days to cease offensive trade. Founder Kat Dopper said they are exploring legal options and also noted Meta shut down Divine Playhouse's social media accounts.”
Rolling Stone Australia
