Why a church converted into a nightclub has become a battleground as organisers are forced to shut down only three days after opening

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:04, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 01:16, 28 July 2026 A controversial LGBTQIA+ nightclub operating inside a former Sydney church has shut down just three days after opening, with organisers blaming a campaign by Christian activists for forcing them out. The closure is now threatening to spark a fresh legal battle, with the venue's lawyers exploring potential claims for damages and sex discrimination after its lease was terminated over claims by the landlord it was conducting an 'offensive trade'. The obscure law dates back to the 1840s to regulate foul smells and industrial waste and has never been tested in court.  Christian groups, including Fit for the Kingdom and the Prodigal Sons, have branded the venue's events 'hateful blasphemy' and demanded a $100,000 taxpayer-funded arts grant from the NSW Government be stripped away. The former Catholic church on Kent Street was purchased by billionaire Revelop co-founders Anthony El-Hazouri and Charbel Hazzouri for $17million in 2023, and has previously housed a children's school and a theatre since being deconsecrated almost a century ago. The landlords told The Sydney Morning Herald they had no prior knowledge of how the venue would be used and argued the event was 'equivalent to hate speech' because it targeted people's religious beliefs. Heaps Gay and Divine Playhouse founder Kat Dopper vowed the fight was far from over, saying supporters had already raised almost $50,000 to bankroll a legal battle.  It comes after thousands of Sydneysiders descended on Hyde Park on Saturday for a mass 'sing-in' demonstration in support of Divine Playhouse and its operators Heaps Gay. A controversial LGBTQIA+ nightclub operating inside a former Sydney church has shut down just three days after opening Heaps Gay and Divine Playhouse founder Kat Dopper (pictured) vowed the fight was far from over, saying supporters had already raised almost $50,000 to bankroll a legal battle Thousands of Sydneysiders descended on Hyde Park on Saturday for a mass 'sing-in' demonstration in support of Divine Playhouse and its operators Heaps Gay 'Saturday's turnout caps two weeks of extraordinary public support, nearly 20,000 people have signed the petition backing the venue, and a GoFundMe for the legal fight and losses has passed $48,000,' Ms Dopper told the Daily Mail. She said more than 180 artists were booked across the first two months alone.  'After two months of blood, sweat and tears, the doors are closed,' she said. 'Thank you to everyone who has stood with us these past couple of weeks. It was never just about the building - it's about the art and the people.' Lawyers for the venue's operators argue the eviction notice was built on shaky legal ground. Marque Lawyers managing partner Michael Bradley said the concept of 'offensive trade' dates back to English law in the 1800s and was traditionally used to regulate issues such as noxious smells and other public nuisances. Under the Conveyancing Act, tenants must not use premises for any 'noxious, noisome, or offensive art, trade, business occupation, or calling'. Bradley argued the provision had never been used to target conduct deemed morally offensive. The fight is far from over with supporters raising almost $50,000 to bankroll a legal battle An image from Divine Playhouse’s opening night where performers 'It's never been applied to moral offensiveness in the way the landlord is seeking to do,' he told The Guardian. 'We don't doubt that the landlord is offended by what Heaps Gay was doing, but that's a subjective personal question.' However, critics of the venue insist it crossed a line. Chris Nave, who started a petition opposing Divine Playhouse, said while many Australians recognise the terms Islamophobia and antisemitism, it was time to acknowledge what he described as 'Christ-phobia' - the singling out of Christianity for ridicule, contempt or mockery. 'This has never been about silencing anyone or opposing the LGBTQ community,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I support freedom of expression, but I don't believe taxpayers should fund the ridicule of any faith.' Mr Nave said calling something 'art' does not automatically places it beyond criticism.  'I didn't see thoughtful satire,' he said. Catholic content creator Liam Aquilina (pictured) described the venue as a 'mockery' of his faith and heavily criticised the decision to award the group a $100,000 grant An image from Divine Playhouse’s opening night where a performer dressed as a pig hands out French fries as holy communion 'I saw the ridicule of sacred Christian beliefs and practices.' His petition has attracted almost 8,000 signatures. Catholic content creator Liam Aquilina, who described the venue as a 'mockery' of his faith, criticised the decision to award the group a $100,000 grant while the government spent $66million combatting Islamophobia. 'We have nothing against queer people, in fact, we have nothing against queer people using a deconsecrated church,' he said on social media. 'But what we do have is the mockery of our Catholic faith and our Eucharist. That's what we're against.' Hundreds attended the opening-night party, titled The First Rite, which featured performances from drag artists and a speech from the city's deputy lord mayor, Jess Miller, who spoke about the 'intergenerational magic' of spaces like this. However, critics seized on social media images from the event showing drag queens dressed as nuns, a partygoer wearing a crucifix corpus on a leather choker and a performer dressed as a pig handing out French fries as holy communion. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said while people of faith should be heard and respected, 'disagreement should never become intimidation' and that the city must defend freedom of creative expression. The former Kent Street church is owned by developer Revelop, founded by billionaire brothers Anthony El-Hazouri and Charbel Hazzouri (pictured) 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 organisers find a new venue.   Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said the closure of Divine Playhouse was 'a step backwards for Sydney'. '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.'