Federal Judge Upholds Block on Naples, Florida Restrictions Against 'PrideFest' Drag Show
Federal judge appointed by Clinton rules in favor of pro-LGBT group, challenging Naples city's stance on upcoming drag event.
Legal controversy continues to mount in Naples, Florida, as a pro-LGBT organization prepares to host an all-ages outdoor drag show during the upcoming Naples PrideFest. A recent federal court decision—handed down by Judge John Steele in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida—has blocked the city from enforcing restrictions that would have forced the event's drag performance indoors and barred minors from attending.
The dispute began after the Naples City Council voted 5-2 to grant a permit for the June 7 event at Cambier Park, but only under two key conditions: the drag show must be held indoors at the Norris Center, and no attendees under 18 would be permitted, regardless of parental supervision. In response, Naples Pride, the organization behind the festival, filed a lawsuit arguing that these limitations infringed on free speech rights and targeted the LGBT community specifically.
Earlier this month, Judge Steele issued a preliminary injunction against the city's requirements, stating they could not enforce either the indoor-only restriction or any age limit for attending the drag performance. This week, the judge doubled down, denying the city’s emergency motion to halt the injunction while their appeal proceeds. As a result, Naples PrideFest is currently set to go forward as an outdoor, all-ages event.
Financial concerns have also played a role in the dispute. According to legal filings, the Naples Police Department initially proposed substantial security fees—over $30,000 for indoor arrangements, and more than $44,000 if the event remained outdoors. Organizers argued these costs were prohibitive and out of step with fees charged to other groups holding public events in Naples.
The city of Naples, in a brief official statement, confirmed the federal court’s decision and indicated its legal team is reviewing further options with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Officials maintain that the city has both the right and the responsibility to impose reasonable restrictions on special event permits to ensure public safety, but declined to elaborate on the ongoing litigation strategies.
The court’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from some local leaders. U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, a Naples-based Republican, took to social media to denounce the ruling, arguing it allows sexually explicit performances "next to a popular children’s playground" and called for the city to challenge the decision up to the Supreme Court. His remarks underscore a broader national debate over the intersection of LGBTQ+ expression, children's access to entertainment, and community standards.
Supporters of Naples Pride, however, cheered the judge’s ruling. In a statement, spokesperson Callhan Soldavini asserted, "Drag performances are a protected form of expression—period." The organization emphasized its commitment to free speech and equal rights, calling the court’s decision "thoughtful, well-reasoned, and firmly rooted in longstanding constitutional principles."
As Naples PrideFest approaches, the city remains in the national spotlight. Attendees, residents, and observers continue to debate where community protection ends and constitutional freedoms begin, a conversation that may soon reach higher courts as both sides prepare for the next stage of the legal battle.
