Divine Playhouse, Sydney’s newest performing arts venue, has had its lease terminated just days after opening following a campaign from Christian extremists objecting to its creative expression and use of a historic former church.

The venue’s operators have been given just days to vacate 420 Kent Street, leaving artists, performers and audiences without the new cultural space they had worked to create. They are now urgently searching for a new venue.

The unlawful termination follows a breach notice issued by the landlords’ lawyers, which alleged that Divine Playhouse had engaged in “offensive trade” by insulting and mocking the religious beliefs of Christians. This followed complaints and protests coordinated by far-right Christian groups and influencers, including prayer vigils attended by no more than 70 people outside the venue.

This is not just about one venue. It raises a much bigger question: can a lawful arts venue be driven from its premises because organised pressure is brought against its creative expression? If this can happen to Divine Playhouse, it creates a dangerous precedent for independent arts venues, artists and minority communities across Australia.

Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, has said that, while people of faith should be heard and respected, “disagreement should never become intimidation” and that the city must defend freedom of creative expression. She has also asked City of Sydney staff to investigate whether another space could be made available to Divine Playhouse.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann has called on the NSW Government to provide an urgent $200,000 emergency funding package and for the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to help the organisers find a new venue.

We agree. Sydney has already lost too many live music venues, theatres and inclusive cultural spaces

We call on Premier Chris Minns, the NSW Government, NSW Minister for the Arts John Graham, the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues and the City of Sydney to urgently work with the operators of Divine Playhouse to:

• provide emergency funding to support the venue’s relocation and recovery;
• help identify and secure a suitable new venue; and
• ensure that Divine Playhouse can continue its work as an inclusive home for queer artists, performers and audiences

Sign this petition to show your support for Divine Playhouse, Sydney’s arts community, freedom of expression and the right of LGBTQIA+ people to create, perform and gather without being driven from cultural spaces by organised campaigns targeting their artistic expression.