Tag: LGBTQ

LGBTQ

Sydney landlords shut down anti-Christian LGBTQ+ performances at heritage-listed former church

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Landlords have shut the door on the LGBTQ+ desecration of a former Sydney Catholic Church and theatre named after saints.

by Rod Lampard

Concerned critics said St John the Evangelist, which had previously also served as a school for the poor and a men’s shelter, was being used to mock Christianity in the name of art.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the club was “slated to host live music, cabaret shows and performances — most of it adopting Catholic themes and names.”

Dubbed as an “experimental nightclub” and the brain-burp of LGBTQ+ company Heaps Gay Events, the former church was branded “The Unholy Playhouse.”

Organisers quickly changed this to “The Divine Playhouse” after media attention attracted an apparently unexpected flood of public criticism.

Owners issue notice of breach of lease

St John’s current owners, Anthony El-Hazouri and Charbel Hazzouri (Revelop), caught wind of the proposed use, then “issued a notice of breach of the lease over offensive trade.”

Heaps Gay founder, Kat Dopper, said her company “had acted in good faith throughout this whole process and remains committed to meeting our obligations as tenants and working towards a constructive resolution.”

Dopper claims the group was “being silenced,” and has said they are “exploring legal options.”

Sydney’s alt-news site CityHub blamed “radical Christian groups” for the cancellation.

They were referring to Christian Ministries Fit for the Kingdom (FFTK) and The Prodigal Sons (TPS).

Both ministries gathered over 150 Christians to pray outside the 158-year-old church building last week.

Saying it without stating it, CityHub accused the two groups of selective outrage, and insinuated that they were “seeking to prevent [those who identify as] LGBTQ+ from expressing themselves.”

Confirming the context, CityHub quoted Revelop’s breach of lease notice, which read:

“We note that the trade carried on by HG Events has been the subject of significant protest and public criticism, given its offensive nature.

“Such offensive trade has caused, and will continue to cause, grievance and disturbance to owners of adjoining properties and to the general public.

“In circumstances where future public protests are almost certain to occur and are likely to endanger members of the public, our client considers that the time by which the offensive trade is to cease is reasonable.”

On Instagram, Fit for the Kingdom founder, Tomas Mones-Cazon, said: “What makes this worse? The club is openly supported and funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW.”

“Taxpayer money from hardworking people including Christians is being used to desecrate a sacred heritage building and mock the Christian faith that helped build this nation.”

“This would never be allowed for Islam or Judaism,” he protested, “There would be immediate outrage, protests and government intervention.”

A second prayer vigil outside St John’s is planned for 17 July.

NSW state government funding Christian mockery

Validating Mones-Cazon’s claims, Australasian Leisure Management (ALM) confirmed that the NSW State Government had contributed 100,000 dollars to the venue.

Now removed, Heaps Gay’s insensitive marketing and social media posts are what first drew public attention to the LGBTQ+ club’s blatant mockery of Christianity.

For example, ALM recalled the former church being marketed as a “Sanctuary for Divine Mischief.”

Heaps Gay also openly “promoted events using Christian language and symbolism.”

This included “promotional material featuring drag performers dressed as nuns and religious imagery.”

Images that have resurfaced online show “The Divine Playhouse” mocking the Eucharist using McDonald’s fries and a man dressed as a pig.

One post shows a crucifix attached to a BDSM “dog collar.” Another picture shows someone wearing stiletto heels with a cross on the soles.

Others show a clear mockery of Christian ritual and liturgy being performed within St John’s.

‘Neither respect nor tolerance’

The Australian Christians Party backed the owner’s cease and desist notice.

Maryka Groenewald stated in a press release that “even after deconsecration, Church buildings remain places that still carry deep spiritual and cultural significance for believers.”

“They shouldn’t be used as backdrops for explicit entertainment that mocks or trivialises the Christian faith.”

The Western Australian Legislative member then protested the double standard, rightly arguing that this is the “same political lobby that constantly speaks about ‘respect’ and ‘tolerance’.”

Now they’re “trying to bully a landlord into hosting events that show neither respect nor tolerance for the Christian worldview.”

“Sydney is not short of nightlife venues or performance spaces.

“It again raises a fair question: why the determination to stage these particular activities in churches?

“We want the [owners of St John’s] to know they are not alone.”

“Many Christians and common-sense Australians can see the double standard at work,” Groenewald added, stating that they “are grateful for their willingness to draw a line in defence of Christian morality and basic respect.”

Reading the room, Family First’s Lyle Shelton simply said, “Imagine if this happened to Islam?”

In a Family First statement published online, he added, “The Minns Government would never dream of funding an arts project devoted to mocking Islam’s prophet Muhammad or ridiculing Islamic religious practices.

“There would be an immediate public outcry and possibly violence. Christianity should be afforded the same respect.”

History of St John the Evangelist

Built in 1868, St John the Evangelist was deconsecrated in the 1930s.

The Catholic Press reported in 1938 that a “gradual clearing out of the residential population” had shifted the building’s usefulness.

Kent Street was being transformed into a commercial hub.

St John’s “carried on as a school, but even that was discontinued as there was no longer either any people or children to be served.”

As The Sydney Morning Herald wrote one month later: when St John’s on Kent was built, “sunlight flooded through its windows. From its front door there was a view of the harbour.”

“Today the church is wedged between large commercial buildings.”

After the people had moved on, the church building was “rented out for secular purposes.”

In 1938 the church reintegrated the building back into its Christian mission. Priests from St Mary’s Cathedral proposed using the church as a hostel for the down and out.

Consequently, St John’s on Kent became the first site of the Matthew Talbot Hostel, Sydney’s long-running Saint Vincent de Paul’s men’s shelter.

From 1952–2020, the Gothic, Victorian-style, stone building served as the home of The Genesian Theatre, named after St Genesius, the patron saint of actors.

Now it’s being used by the LGBTQ+, who, with the monetary blessing of Labor politicians, are funding the mockery of Christianity behind the guise of “art” and “freedom of expression”.

As evidenced by the recent Australian Christian Freedom Index, the 21st century now offers plenty of examples showing the consequences of de-Christianisation.

The abuse of St John’s and the “be tolerant — don’t shove your religion down our throats — love is love” hypocrisy attached to it is one of the loudest.

Christians repeatedly deployed St John’s to serve the community; homosexuals are now using it to serve their own self-interests.

The difference between the two groups does not get any clearer than that.

By Rod Lampard. Republished with permission from The Daily Declaration. The Daily Declaration is Australia’s largest Christian news site. It is dedicated to providing a voice for Christian values in the public square. Its vision is to see the revitalisation of our Christian values for the common good. 

non-binary

‘Non-Binary’ Drivers get Cheaper Car Insurance Premiums

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Two of Australia’s largest insurers have confirmed that they charge male drivers hundreds of dollars more than ‘non-binary’ applicants for identical car insurance coverage.

by Kurt Mahlburg at The Daily Declaration.

Insurance giants NRMA and Allianz are offering dramatically cheaper car insurance premiums to Australian drivers who select “non-binary” on application forms.

The revelation first came from a listener, Ben, who contacted 2GB Sydney’s Ben Fordham Live to explain that when he used the same personal and vehicle details and changed only the gender field, he was quoted dramatically different premiums.

“At NRMA, for example, for a male customer, the policy costs $2,700, but for a non-binary customer, it costs only $1,900 — a difference of $800,” the listener wrote in an email to the program.

“At Allianz, it’s similar. For a male customer, the policy costs $2,800. For a non-binary, it costs $2,300 — a difference of $500. Same suburb, same car, same age, same driving history, same excess, same everything.”

The listener, Ben — who happens to share a first name with the show’s host — went on to detail how each insurer justified its pricing policy:

I asked both insurers to explain why gender identity affects a person’s risk profile. NRMA insisted it’s non-discriminatory, then pointed me to their premium and excess guide. Allianz went a step further and told me they couldn’t answer because it was a sensitive topic.

In other words, insurers are charging male customers hundreds more; non-binary customers get the cheapest rate. No data or explanation is provided. One insurer hides behind a document that doesn’t explain it. The other refuses to answer questions entirely.

Both insurers have since confirmed to The Daily Declaration that the cheaper price for ‘non-binary’ customers is intentional.

‘Absolutely Stunned At What I Found’

Ben Fordham noted the startling implications live on air. “I’m certainly shocked to hear about it,” he said, before speaking with the listener during Monday morning’s program.

Ben, 22, explained the process that led to his discovery. “I was just going through doing some quotes the other night in the process of purchasing a new car.”

“I found the box on there and I thought, ‘I’m just gonna give it a tick and see what it comes out with.’ Might be a bit of a joke. And yeah, well, a joke is right. I was absolutely stunned at what I found.”

Fordham clarified: “All of the other details were listed exactly the same?”

“Yes,” the caller confirmed.

Fordham summarised the situation for listeners: “Two of the country’s biggest insurers charging dramatically different car insurance premiums based purely on the gender identity you select. If you tick male, you pay more. If you tick non-binary, you pay less.”

When Fordham asked about female drivers, Ben reported that NRMA’s quote for a female customer came in at around $2,300 — still higher than the non-binary rate.

‘Non-Binary’ Loophole Confirmed by Producers

2GB Sydney confirmed the discrepancy via social media, showing the results when their own producers tested the so-called “non-binary loophole.”

Side-by-side quotes for the same comprehensive car insurance policy revealed a striking difference: $2,725 per year for a male applicant, compared with $1,943 for someone identifying as non-binary — a saving of $782.

The post, headlined “2GB PRODUCERS TEST NON-BINARY LOOPHOLE,” made clear that the only variable affecting the premium was the gender selection.

Monday’s segment closed with Fordham summarising the findings: “Insurers are charging male customers hundreds more. Non-binary customers get the cheapest rate. No data or explanation is provided. One insurer hides behind a document that doesn’t explain it. The other refuses to answer questions because it’s so sensitive. What in the world is going on?”

NRMA and Allianz Confirm ‘Non-Binary’ Discount

The Daily Declaration reached out to both NRMA and Allianz to confirm whether the cheaper premiums for ‘non-binary’ customers were intentional.

“NRMA Insurance recently introduced a non-binary option into the comprehensive car insurance quoting process to enable non-binary customers to be represented and recognised when applying for insurance,” an NRMA Insurance spokesperson confirmed, adding, “It’s important customers provide accurate information when purchasing insurance.”

“We will continue to refine our approach as we gain insight on driver behaviour to ensure policies and premiums are reflected appropriately,” she said.

The reply from Allianz was similar.

“At Allianz, we strive to be inclusive in our insurance offerings,” a spokesperson explained. “Due to the small percentage of non-binary individuals, limited data is available to assess risk accurately. Therefore, we currently default to the lower-priced gender option, which is typically, but not always, female.”

“Allianz will continue to refine our approach to policies and premiums to reflect updated information. We trust our customers to provide accurate information when applying for insurance.”

Both NRMA and Allianz place heavy emphasis on LGBTQI+ “inclusion” as part of their corporate identity.

According to NRMA’s website, the company’s SHINE network promotes “gender affirmation leave,” “all-gender bathrooms,” and policies designed to let staff “be their authentic selves,” framing these measures as essential to a “safe, welcoming environment.”

Allianz adopts similar language, describing its Pride network as committed to “furthering the awareness of LGBTQ+ issues” and positioning the company as an “employer of choice for LGBTQ+ applicants.”

Both NRMA and Allianz have achieved Gold Employer status on the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), a benchmarking program administered by the LGBT activist group ACON, which receives funding from both federal and state governments.

by Kurt Mahlburg.

Kurt Mahlburg is a husband to Angie, a father, a freelance writer, and a familiar Australian voice on culture and the Christian faith. He is the Senior Editor and a regular columnist at The Daily Declaration. More of his writings can be found at Mercator, Intellectual Takeout, The Spectator Australia, The American Spectator and Caldron Pool.

The Daily Declaration is Australia’s largest Christian news site. We are dedicated to providing a voice for Christian values in the public square. Our vision is to see the revitalisation of our Judeo-Christian values for the common good. We are non-profit, independent, crowdfunded, and we provide Christian news for a growing audience across Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. 

A Victim of Medical Sterilisation

Medical sterilisation of children ‘paused’ by Qld govt

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by John Morrissey

The Queensland Government has restricted medical sterilisation and mutilation of children despite pressure from gender therapy lobbyists.

The questionable practice of subjecting minors to puberty-blocking drugs is usually met with government indifference and little attention in the local media.

However, Queensland Health’s recently-announced restriction on this treatment for all new child and adolescent patients has clearly provoked the Albanese Labor government’s health minister Mark Butler into action.

On January 31 he announced a review into gender therapies, to be conducted by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), with an interim report to be delivered in mid-2026.

This is seen by many to be a stalling tactic to avert the action initiated by Queensland’s recently-elected Liberal National Party government.

Predictably, the Australian Human Rights Commission and media outlets such as Crikey.com have protested about so-called right-wing “ideology” preventing “trans and gender-diverse” children from accessing this controversial form of medical treatment; but Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and his government must stand firm for the sake of thousands of innocent children.

Note that in Queensland 600 current “gender” patients will nonetheless continue to receive treatment with puberty-blockers or hormonal drugs.

Up-to-date statistics are uncertain, but the numbers undergoing gender treatment each year have bee increasing in all states. In Queensland, the number of patients soared from 190 in 2017 to 922 in 2022. In Victoria, it increased from 472 in 2019 to 1,290 in 2023, with a lengthy waiting list.

It is believed that social media, classroom indoctrination and the entertainment industry — not to mention the ill-considered “advice” of sections of the healthcare industry — are responsible for this surge. In Victoria, health professionals and others are threatened by legal penalties from seeking to dissuade children and others from this irreversible course (see below).

The only recognised guidelines for gender-reassignment practices in Australia are the model developed by Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and a similar framework promoted by NSW Health. Both were recently described by Sydney journalist Bernard Lane, as “nothing less than the blueprint for gender- affirming medicine in Australia”, created by its very practitioners. Paradoxically, Mr Butler’s intervention, belated as it is, confirms the inadequacy of the RCH and similar guidelines.

Children and adolescents presenting with gender dysphoria are often also suffering from other psychological
problems. These include depression (74.6%) and other conditions such as suicidal thoughts and autism (Australian Trans Pathways Studies in Youth, 2020).

Why normal standards of care, relying on evidence-based research, have been ignored in these cases is explained by Australian psychiatrist Dr Andrew Amos in a revealing study published last year in Australasian Psychiatry. He explains that the principle of the gender-affirming model of care is that “all health clinicians have an ethical responsibility not to question or evaluate patient reported gender identity, even when that identity is unstable, changes rapidly, and is co-morbid with severe mental illness”.

Dr Amos points out that these practitioners “assume access to gender-affirming interventions is a human right that should be available to anyone competent to request them”. That is, they reject the need for any
systematic evaluation of whether these treatments have benefited patients.

Despite a torrent of information from overseas warning of the dangers of this treatment, and the new restrictions on its use for minors in Finland, Sweden, the UK and some U.S. states such as Florida, Australian governments have persisted with transgender “treatments” of children. At no point have they ever felt obliged to produce evidence to justify their practices which lead to the irreversible sterilisation of children too young to make a mature decision about many other facets of their lives.

So-called healthcare professionals have driven a wedge between family members, and bullied parents into withdrawing their objections to their children being subjected to transgender treatment. In Victoria, parents, doctors, teachers and counsellors face heavy penalties if they offer advice, or even prayer, contrary to transgender ideology, as stipulated by the counselling censorship provisions of the state’s draconian Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021.

We have seen in the UK the 2019 scandal surrounding the Tavistock Clinic’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS). In April 2024 came the bombshell report by Dr Hilary Cass, OBE, commissioned by NHS England, on gender identity services for children and young people. In addition, Scandinavian and U.S. reviews have found the evidence favouring hormonal treatment of gender-distressed minors to be very weak and uncertain. In reality, gender-affirmation or sex-reassignment is impossible, owing to unalterable chromosomes. Moreover, surgical reconstructions are only cosmetic.

Long-term studies overseas do not record positive outcomes, especially for those who later regret an
irreversible choice made when they were children.

Australian governments and even courts have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the weight of evidence from overseas pleading caution. This is how an Australian Family Court judge resolved the case of parents disputing the administering of testosterone to their 16-years-old trans-identifying daughter. He ruled last November that, in the absence of evidence-based guidance, it is “common sense” to accept the “best available guidance” and a “consensus favouring gender medicine”. This judge used masculine pronouns throughout when referring to the daughter and rejected the relevance of “potential later interventions” when endorsing testosterone treatment.

Nowhere in the gender-affirming literature published in Australia does the word “de-transition” appear. There
is no acknowledgement of the many youngsters who subsequently regret what has been done to their bodies.

I once wrote a review of American author Walt Heyer’s book, Gender, Lies and Suicide: A Whistleblower
Speaks Out (2013), in which he describes how, in a bid to overcome a major depressive illness, he underwent so-called gender reassignment after which he tried to live as a woman named Laura Jensen. He explains how he was seduced into this treatment and how his mental health problems returned with a vengeance once the initial euphoria had worn off. After eight years of suffering increasing regret about his decision, he “de-transitioned” and now lives as a man.

More heart-rending are the cases investigated by Channel Seven’s Spotlight program, “Breaking the silence: The reality of de-transitioning” (August, 2023), in which teenagers tell of their disillusionment with transgender treatment and the knowledge that there is no way back from the medical sterilisation and surgical mutilation that they have undergone. Chloe is an American girl, who after being diagnosed with gender dysphoria began medical treatment at 12 and underwent a double-mastectomy at 16. She declares, “I asked for help and they gave me mutilation.”

The Australian Christian Lobby has been particularly active in warning parents, children and teenagers against the transgender cult’s deceptive promise that it has a simple silver-bullet remedy for their mental health issues. The ACL has produced a two-part documentary, “The gender experiment: The truth revealed”, which is available online. It exposes the fraudulent promise of the transgender lobby and features accounts from Chloe Cole and her Australians counterparts on how they were seduced into transitioning and how disillusioned they became with the result.

In the course of the documentary, Queensland child psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer explains that adolescents prioritise short-term gains and that brain development and deferred gratification come only with maturity. She describes the tragedy of parents losing custody of their children when they object to their children undergoing gender reassignment, and the unrelenting pressure she has experienced from her professional colleagues to defer to transgender ideology. The ACL documentary is highly recommended.All this shows how important it is for the Queensland Crisafulli government to stand firm on its moratorium on transgender treatments of children. The public has every right to be sceptical about the “independence” of the process being undertaken by the NHMRC.

The transgender medical lobby has already established a bridgehead into the heart of federal government decision-making through an LGBTIQA+ health advisory group chaired by assistant health minister Gerardine “Ged” Kearney.

Furthermore, it is unlikely that the states’ chief health officers will break rank and examine sceptically treatments which have divorced themselves from evidence-based medicine. Notwithstanding being unable to produce “gold standard evidence” to support its recommendations, a particularly accommodating review for the NSW government in 2024 by the Sax Institute alleges that puberty suppression and gender-affirming hormones could be beneficial.

The Australian public should demand much better standards from healthcare professionals, especially for youngsters believed to be suffering from gender dysphoria, which, if left untreated, usually dissipates by adulthood — without harmful interventions …

About the author
John Morrissey is a retired secondary school teacher who has taught in government, independent and
Catholic schools. He lives in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn with his blue heeler, Tammy, and writes
regularly for the Endeavour Forum Newsletter.