Protests from Christian groups have triggered the pre-emptive closure of a newly opened queer arts venue in a deconsecrated Sydney church.
Divine Playhouse, a queer club and arts space housed in a former church in Sydney’s CBD, has shuttered just eight days after opening. The closure comes after religious protesters picketed the venue, targeting its imagery and lobbying the New South Wales government to strip its $100,000 grant.
While the building has functioned as a cultural venue for seventy years, the recent occupation by the queer community met immediate resistance. A spokesperson for the Greens characterized the opposition as a coordinated campaign of attacks against Sydney’s creative infrastructure.
The venue’s landlord took pre-emptive action to close the doors, forcing the postponement of all upcoming events. The Divine Playhouse team confirmed they are exploring legal options, maintaining that the city requires more spaces where marginalized culture can safely exist.