An LGBT club in a former Sydney Catholic church has been told to stop “carrying on offensive trade” or face eviction, after Christian campaigners rallied outside its opening night.
Divine Playhouse put on an event called Sunday Mess — An Unholy Brunch Party: The Resurrection over the weekend.
The church was deconsecrated in 1932 and has been used as a theatre for the past 70 years. Now, the building landlord has ordered tenants to “cease carrying on offensive trade”. Divine Playhouse stated it has “been forced to close the venue and postpone the events for now” while it seeks legal advice.
Around 70 people from Christian groups gathered outside the venue. Among them was Liam Aquilina, who told ABC News that the group was not protesting but instead there to “pray against the mockery of our faith”. He did not take offence to the church being used by “certain communities”, but by “people dressing up as nuns … the sale of vodka or tequila labelled as unholy order”.
Christian groups The Prodigal Sons and Fit For The Kingdom said the venue was using “blasphemous” imagery that “mocks religious faith”. Campaigners have also called into question a $100,000 AUD (£52,000) grant awarded to the group by the New South Wales government.
Divine Playhouse said it had been acting in “good faith” and was working to a resolution.
A social media statement said: “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. 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."
“While causing offence was not our intention, respectfully, we heard those concerns and in good faith promptly made changes prior to opening”, it added.
The venue’s name was initially the “Unholy Playhouse” but was changed before opening. Despite the change, organisers said they stood by the phrase “as a reclamation for communities who may not have always felt included in traditional holy spaces”.