Divine Playhouse, Sydney's newest performing arts venue, was forced to close just days after opening following complaints from a small group of Christian fundamentalists. There are now reports that the venue's future at 420 Kent Street is under threat.

If a lawful tenant can be driven out because a vocal minority objects to the LGBTQIA+ community and its creative expression, it sets a dangerous precedent. It sends the message that organised pressure campaigns can determine which communities are allowed to occupy public and cultural spaces.

While this has been framed as a matter of religious offence, no one has a right to veto a lawful arts venue simply because they find its creative expression objectionable.

420 Kent Street has not been a church for decades. It was deconsecrated long ago and operated as a theatre for approximately seventy years before becoming home to this new venue. The current campaign ignores that history and threatens to deprive Sydney of a much-needed independent cultural space before it has even had the chance to establish itself.

Sydney has already lost too many live music venues, theatres and queer spaces. We cannot afford to lose another.

We call on Revelop (the owners of the space) to stand by its tenant, reject pressure from those seeking to silence queer culture, and allow this venue the opportunity to succeed.

Sign this petition to show your support for Sydney's arts community, freedom of expression and the right of LGBTQIA+ people to create, perform and gather without being targeted by campaigns of intimidation.