00:04A lively gathering for a community seeking change.
00:10This heritage listed site is at the centre of a discrimination debate.
00:14Turned into an LGBTQIA plus event space earlier this month, the venue was forced to shut its
00:20doors shortly after opening, following backlash from parts of the Christian community.
00:28It is something that saddens me to see that there is a level of division that religion
00:33is being blamed on.
00:35Originally built as a church in the 1860s, the building was later converted to a theatre
00:40in the 1930s.
00:41The new tenants, events organisation Heaps Gay, claim they were wrongfully evicted by developer
00:47and owners at Revelop, who were claiming the venue had been used for offensive trade.
00:51Heaps Gay and the Divine Playhouse signed a lease on this property in Sydney CBD about
00:57eight weeks ago.
00:58After three events here, their lease was terminated, a decision which they plan to challenge through
01:02legal action.
01:03This in our mind, and in our belief, and our lawyers' belief, who are very good, that this
01:09is a discrimination case.
01:10The community now calling on the state government for support.
01:14Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham says the venue's closure is a step backwards for Sydney,
01:19Sydney, and that the city needs more performance spaces and venues, not less.
01:23Mr Graham says a round table discussing inclusive queer spaces in Sydney is also on the cards.
01:29The core of this vision was reactivating this city in spaces that are forgotten and left
01:35for dead.
01:35The ABC has reached out to Revelop for comment.
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