LGBT club's lease at old Sydney church terminated due to 'offensive trade'

The owners of a deconsecrated church in Sydney's CBD have terminated the lease of an LGBTQIA+ pop-up club, claiming the venue had been used for "offensive trade".Organisers of Divine Playhouse were served with a breach notice earlier this month, in the wake of complaints from some members of the Christian community.On Monday, organisers confirmed they had been told to vacate the premises on Kent Street within three days.In a statement, Divine Playhouse and Heaps Gay founder Kat Dopper said she was "devastated"."Divine Playhouse was created as a critical new cultural home for diverse artists and communities from all over Sydney and New South Wales," she said."It's sitting empty — no artists, no audiences, the joy and community we built in that room, silenced."Ms Dopper says she is devastated by the decision. (Supplied: Anna Hay)Protests at opening nightThe 158-year-old church building was deconsecrated in 1932 and has operated as a theatre for the past 70 years.The venue was then leased by developer Revelop to Heaps Gay, a nightlife group that hosts parties and other events for Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community and allies.But its new tenants faced backlash from some Christian groups, who claimed their choice of venue "mocks religious faith".Earlier this month, about 70 protesters gathered outside Divine Playhouse to rally against its opening night.Lawyers for the building's owners then issued a breach notice to Heaps Gay Events, which holds the lease for the venue.The notice, seen by the ABC, said the tenants had carried on an "offensive" trade that had caused "grievance and disturbance to owners of adjoining properties and to the general public".The church was deconsecrated in 1932. (ABC News: Floss Adams)The lawyers also noted the "significant protest and public criticism" directed at the venue.It prompted Divine Playhouse to close and all events at the venue to be cancelled.The ABC has contacted Revelop for comment.Heaps Gay said it had now been officially asked to leave."The termination came with no conversation and no good-faith engagement — just legal letters and a deadline to strip out months of work," the statement read.The ABC understands Heaps Gay is considering a legal challenge against the owners."We believe this termination was unlawful and unjust," Ms Dopper said."If a landlord's personal beliefs can shut down an arts venue, no stage in this country is safe. Who decides what art is acceptable? Right now, the answer is whoever owns the building."If we walk away, they'll believe that intimidation works, and they'll come back, again and again, for every other group they don't agree with."Divine Playhouse will hold a sing-in rally in Sydney's CBD this weekend, follwing the termination.A fundraiser is also being organised, featuring artists whose performances or events at the location had been cancelled.Divine Playhouse said it was calling on developers, landowners and private space owners with "something unique" to come forward, as it searches for a new location.