The CEO of Sydney's City Recital Hall, Elaine Chia, has been forced to respond to growing backlash over the concert venue's association with the upcoming Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
As part of the 2019 Mardi Gras program, the hall will play setting to a co-presentation of , an original choral work by American singer and composer Holcombe Waller. Stunning audiences around the world, the evening-length piece is said to invoke "remembrance and peace for the dead who suffered persecution for their sexual orientation or gender expression".
However, some social media users - including religious organisations such as the Latin Mass Society Australia - took issue with the iconic venue supporting the production, leaving a barrage of abuse across social media channels. 
In an open letter shared on Facebook, Chia called for a stop to discrimination and abuse, while insisting the musical evening would proceed as planned.
The Latin Mass Society Australia publicly condemned the City Recital Hall with a post on Facebook. Source: Facebook
"In the last week, City Recital Hall’s Facebook page promoting our co-presentation with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Requiem Mass: A Queer Divine Rite has been targeted by people who say that it is blasphemous and offensive to their religion," she wrote.
"There was more said - vicious, discriminatory and hurtful words, including threats. I expected there would be some who were not in favour of this concert, and of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but freedom of speech should never be discriminatory or abusive."
She continued: "Let me be crystal clear. City Recital Hall’s stated values are to be inclusive, to champion diversity by engaging with all genres, all peoples, and all ideas. We celebrate the voices of the whole community. The spiteful comments have made it all the more clear that we need to present works like Requiem Mass on our stage.
"We need to move past hatred, embrace dialogue and do our part to build a society where all people can express themselves without discrimination."
'This is disgusting and evil,' wrote one group on Facebook. Source: Facebook
In conclusion, the CEO wrote: "This work is not a satire, nor is it disrespectful of anyone’s faith, including mine. It has been performed in venues worldwide, including churches and cathedrals. Music has the power to heal. That’s why this concert will proceed."
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras' official Facebook page celebrated Chia's conviction, writing: "This is such a wonderful response to critics of an event that we know will be beautiful and uplifting.
"Thank you City Recital Hall for your fearless support of Requiem Mass - A Queer Divine Rite."
Australian musician Brendan Maclean added: "Brilliant response to useless bigotry. Thank you for standing up for your city, faith and the broader community."
Actor, musician and presenter Jay Laga'aia also commended the response, writing: "Every now and then someone needs to put those gutless keyboard warriors in their place and remind them that we are trying to create an inclusive environment and not an exclusive one."
You can watch the SBS parade coverage on Sunday March 3rd at 8.30pm.
