July 17, 2026 — 3:30pmAn LGBTQI arts group forced to close a new nightclub in a deconsecrated church after backlash from religious activists may enter litigation with the developer landlord, as even members of government have varying opinions over the use of a former place of worship.Nightlife group Heaps Gay opened the Divine Playhouse last week in the 158-year-old former church, but it has been forced to postpone events after a breach notice from its developer landlord and a sustained campaign from some Christians angered by the use of religious symbolism for provocative performances.Divine Playhouse organiser Kat Dopper, left, with Holy Flesh, and Brendan de la Hay. Janie BarrettArts Minister John Graham and Premier Chris Minns even seem to have varying views. Graham launched a full-throttled defence of the artists on behalf of the government, saying Sydney needs more venues, not fewer, just days after the premier questioned the appropriateness of using a church for art events that satirise religious imagery.The group was gifted a $100,000 grant from Create NSW.Minns said: “It’s also hard to believe that this is the best location for that kind of event, given it is a deconsecrated church. There’s millions of venues across NSW and Australia – but that’s my personal view.”Graham said that while NSW was tolerant and inclusive, that must include respect of each other’s views even when we disagree.The deconsecrated church has been used as a theatre in the past.Janie BarrettGraham said: “The NSW government is committed to ensuring every person in NSW is free from discrimination. I support peaceful prayer and the right to protest, but I also expect that protesters will respect the rights of the LGBTQI community to express themselves and enjoy safe spaces.“The Divine Playhouse closing its doors is a step backwards for Sydney.”Graham attended the opening night, and said he heard for himself that organisers were making changes after public feedback. The venue, first called Unholy Playhouse, later changed its name to Divine Playhouse.“We have lost a lot of venues in Sydney, and we need more performance spaces and venues, not less,” Graham said.Organisers Heaps Gay, a body well known in Sydney’s LGBTQI community for hosting nightlife events across the city, was handed a breach notice for “offensive trade”, which usually relates to conduct such as offensive smells or noisy activities rather than moral issues.The group’s lawyer Michael Bradley told ABC Radio Sydney they had made one last plea to landlords to come to agreeable terms to allow the venue to continue operating but it did look like the issue was heading for litigation.“There’s no allegation that anything illegal is going on. We’re just talking about people’s upset feelings, the idea that that can form a valid basis for kicking a tenant out of their contract, out of their lease … that’s a massive stretch,” Bradley said.Events scheduled for this weekend, which included a warehouse-style rave have been postponed. Another protest by Christian activists was planned for Friday evening.As a future for the arts group at the current location seems increasingly unlikely, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has extended a potential lifeline, offering to help organisers find a new location to continue their events if the current dispute with their landlord can’t be resolved.Particularly troubling, Moore said, were reports of attendees being filmed and insulted by protesters.“People should be able to attend an event without being harassed for who they are or the communities they belong to,” Moore said.A petition to keep the venue open, organised by drag artist Fran Giappani has more than 14,000 signatures, and a fundraiser launched to benefit Heaps Gay had received over $30,000 in donations by Friday afternoon.Another petition calling on the government to apologise for the “mockery of Christianity” has over 6000 signatures.Christian petition creator Chris Nave said: “We are asking the NSW government to demonstrate that no religion should be treated with contempt while carrying the endorsement or support of the people of NSW.”From our partners