Divine Playhouse, Sydney’s newest performing arts venue, has closed just three days after opening following a campaign from Christian fundamentalists about its creative expression and use of an historic former church.

Following the campaign, the landlords have taken pre-emptive action, forcing their tenants to close the venue and postpone its events. A lawful arts venue has been forced to suspend operations while its future is determined not by its audience, artists or operators, but by pressure from people who object to its artistic point of view and its use of a building that was deconsecrated almost a century ago.

UPDATE 15/7: Divine Playhouse has released an official statement regarding its closure. Read it and find out how you can further support the venue HERE.

If a lawful tenant can be driven out because a vocal minority objects to 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 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 inclusive spaces. We cannot afford to lose another.

We call on Revelop (the owners of the property) 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.

Revelop currently has a $55 million development application before the City of Sydney for a mixed-use development on the site and its surrounds, including apartments. You can read about it and submit your respectful and constructive feedback HERE.