UPDATE 2:57 p.m.:
Lawyers for Naples Pride and the city of Naples argued in federal court Friday over requirements for the organization's upcoming pride festival. Naples Pride claims the rules imposed by the city are unconstitutional, while city officials maintain their actions are based on safety concerns.
Supporters of Naples Pride rallied near the courthouse before the hearing began.
"We're asking the court to make sure our first amendment speech isn't violated on June 7 and we're not being asked to pay discriminatory security fees to host our pride festival on June 7," said Callhan Soldavini with Naples Pride.
Senior Reporter Kaitlin Knapp explains what both sides have to say about the federal lawsuit:
The demonstrators occasionally encountered people challenging the festival's location.
"Nobody here is protesting their right to do what they want to do. What we are protesting is their right to do that in a public venue," said John Meo, chairman of the Collier County Republican Executive Committee.
Naples Pride filed a lawsuit against the city of Naples, the police department and city leaders over its PrideFest permit, claiming first amendment violations.
While the city council approved the permit, they mandated that drag shows must be held indoors with attendance restricted to those 18 and older, rather than taking place on stage at Cambier Park.
"What we're fighting for today is for everyone's right to be heard," said Soldavini.
Inside the federal courthouse, Naples Pride's attorneys argued the city's $44,000 security fee estimate is unconstitutional. They also contended that prohibiting outdoor drag performances violates free speech protections.
The city's attorneys countered that police must create customized security plans based on risk factors for events like PrideFest. They maintained that moving drag performances indoors addresses security concerns and potential threats, rather than limiting free speech.
"Our biggest point we want to make, our biggest concern is that on June 7 when we celebrate that it's our first amendment rights," said Soldavini.
Judge John E. Steele will decide whether to approve an injunction that would prevent the city from restricting outdoor drag performances. Additionally, it would force the city to go back and determine what portion of the fees are unconstitutional.
"No matter what happens, no matter what the outcome, absolutely pride will be celebrated," said Soldavini.
No decision was reached on Friday. The judge indicated he would potentially issue a ruling next week.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Protesters confronted each other and shouted in each others faces Friday morning in downtown Fort Myers, just before a hearing in federal court over a lawsuit that Naples Pride filed against the city of Naples.
Naples Pride said it would ask a federal judge to make a decision today on whether its lawsuit can continue. Either way, the organization says its Pridefest will happen on June 7.
About 40 people, including counter-protesters, were there.
The lawsuit alleges unconstitutional restrictions on the annual Pridefest celebration, including requirements that drag performances be held indoors, be barred to minors, and subject to security fees that have increased by more than 2,700% since 2017.
The nonprofit organization filed the complaint on April 10 in federal court, claiming the city's restrictions violate their First Amendment rights and unfairly target LGBTQ+ expression.
Naples Pride, which provides counseling, support groups, housing assistance, legal assistance, and healthcare services to the LGBTQ+ community, says depends on the annual Pridefest for approximately 25% of its operating budget.
For the upcoming June 7 event, the city imposed three major restrictions: requiring drag performances be held indoors at the Norris Center, prohibiting anyone under 18 from attending those performances even with parental supervision, and imposing a $30,697.50 security fee for the indoor event option.
The lawsuit claims there was a dramatic escalation in security fees over the years, from $1,125 in 2017 to the current $30,697.50 figure – an increase the organization calls "grossly disproportionate" compared to other city events.
According to the complaint, a car show that closes multiple streets paid $16,276.25 in 2024, while the Fifth Avenue Tree Lighting and Christmas Walk – which attracts 10,000-15,000 people, requires major street closures, and runs for two days – paid $18,000.
The lawsuit presents two main claims: that the restrictions specifically violate Naples Pride's First Amendment rights by burdening their protected speech, and that Naples' entire permitting system is unconstitutional because it grants city officials "unfettered discretion" without "narrowly drawn, reasonable and definite standards."
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
