Queer venue in former Sydney church forced to shut following Christian protests

A newly-opened queer venue inside a former church in Sydney has been forced to shut due to opposition from several Christian protest groups.

Divine Playhouse opened for the first time on Wednesday, July 8, inside a deconsecrated church in Sydney’s Central Business District that has operated as an arts space and theatre for the past 70 years.

According to Channel Nine, dozens of Christian protesters gathered outside the queer club and arts venue's opening event to oppose its imagery and urged the New South Wales government to revoke the venue’s AUD$100,000 grant.

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Cate Faehrmann, a spokesperson for left-wing political party the Australian Greens,  called protests a "coordinated campaign of attacks", adding that the building "hasn’t been a church for generations", but has been a "cultural venue for decades".

Faehrmann called on the NSW Minister for Arts, Music and Nightlife Economy, John Graham, to "make it clear that the government will stand with artists, venue operators and Sydney’s queer community".

Yesterday, July 15, Divine Playhouse shared an update with its community, saying that it opened last week after “months of work and substantial resources to create a one-year cultural space”.

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“Countless hours from artists, staff, volunteers and supporters fed a shared belief that Sydney deserves more places where creativity, culture and community can thrive.”

The venue confirmed that its landlord took “pre-emptive action”, and has been forced to close and postpone forthcoming events as they explore legal options.

"These past eight days have been a powerful reminder of why this project exists and why spaces like this matter," they said, adding that they will "remain committed to reopening our doors."

Read the full post below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor