Church converted into LGBT nightclub at centre of huge row after being forced to shut just three days after opening

A church in Australia that was converted into an LGBT nightclub has been forced to shut its doors just three days after opening.

Heaps Gay, the organisation that operates Divine Playhouse, has pointed the finger at a coordinated campaign by Christian activist groups, including Fit for the Kingdom and the Prodigal Sons, who labelled the club's programming "hateful blasphemy".

The swift shutdown has ignited a fierce dispute pitting religious sensitivities against LGBT cultural expression, with a legal challenge now looming over the landlord's decision to terminate the lease.

The landlord terminated the lease by invoking an obscure provision under the Conveyancing Act, which prohibits tenants from carrying out any "noxious, noisome, or offensive art, trade, business occupation, or calling".

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This legal mechanism, rooted in 1840s English law, was originally crafted to address industrial pollution and foul odours, never moral objections.

Michael Bradley, managing partner at Marque Lawyers, who represents the venue, told The Guardian: "It's never been applied to moral offensiveness in the way the landlord is seeking to do."

He added: "We don't doubt that the landlord is offended by what Heaps Gay was doing, but that's a subjective personal question."

The provision has never been tested in court.

The Kent Street property, a former Catholic church deconsecrated nearly a century ago, had served as both a children's school and a theatre before billionaire Revelop co-founders Anthony El-Hazouri and Charbel Hazzouri acquired it for A$17million (£9million) in 2023.

The landlords maintained they were unaware of how the space would be used and characterised the events as "equivalent to hate speech".

The inaugural event, dubbed The First Rite, drew hundreds and featured drag performers, with deputy lord mayor Jess Miller delivering a speech celebrating the "intergenerational magic" of such spaces.

Critics, however, highlighted social media footage showing drag queens in nun costumes and a performer distributing French fries in a parody of holy communion.

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Chris Nave, who launched a counter-petition attracting close to 8,000 signatures, argued it was time to recognise what he termed "Christ-phobia", the deliberate targeting of Christianity for mockery.

He told the Daily Mail: "I support freedom of expression, but I don't believe taxpayers should fund the ridicule of any faith.

"I didn't see thoughtful satire. I saw the ridicule of sacred Christian beliefs and practices."

Catholic content creator Liam Aquilina questioned why the group received a $100,000 government arts grant whilst A$66million (£34.6million) was being spent to combat Islamophobia.

Mr Aquilina said on social media: "We have nothing against queer people, in fact, we have nothing against queer people using a deconsecrated church. But what we do have is the mockery of our Catholic faith and our Eucharist. That's what we're against."

Heaps Gay founder Kat Dopper declared the battle was not over, with supporters rallying nearly A$48,000 (£25million) through a GoFundMe campaign to fund legal action.

Close to 20,000 people signed a petition backing the venue, and thousands gathered in Hyde Park for a mass "sing-in" demonstration.

Ms Dopper said: "It was never just about the building, it's about the art and the people."

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore insisted that whilst faith communities deserve respect, "disagreement should never become intimidation," and instructed council staff to explore alternative premises for the venue.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann urged the NSW Government to deliver a $200,000 (£105million) emergency funding package and enlist the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to secure a new location.

Music and Night-time Economy Minister John Graham described the closure as "a step backwards for Sydney".

He added: "I support peaceful protest but I also expect that protesters will respect the rights of the LGBTQI community to express themselves and enjoy safe spaces,' he said in a statement.

"We have lost a lot of venues in Sydney, and we need more performance spaces, not less."

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