NAPLES, Fla. — Naples Pride will be allowed to host its drag show outdoors and without age restrictions at Pridefest 2025 after a federal court denied the City of Naples' attempt to reimpose limitations.
The city had tried to force the drag performance indoors and ban anyone under 18 from attending.
Naples Pride challenged these restrictions as violations of the first amendment, arguing they were based on the content and viewpoint of the performance.
WATCH: FOX 4's Amy Wegmann and Shari Armstrong discuss the decision on Off Script:
The court previously granted a preliminary injunction against the city's restrictions, and now has denied the city's request to stay that ruling.
In its decision, the court found the city failed to show it would suffer irreparable harm without the restrictions. In fact, the Naples Police Department had previously stated it could safely manage the event with an outdoor performance.
The court also rejected the city's argument that Naples Pride waited too long to file its lawsuit.
Fox 4 reached out to Naples Pride on their response to the decision, and we are waiting to hear back.
In response to the court decision, the City of Naples shared the statement below,
U.S. District Court Judge Steele denied the City’s emergency motion to stay the preliminary injunction pending appeal. While this outcome was anticipated, the City’s legal team is reviewing the order and determining next steps with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The City remains confident it has both the legal responsibility and the authority to attach reasonable restrictions on special event permits to ensure public safety. Beyond this, and as a matter of policy, the City does not comment in detail on legal strategy for active litigation.
According to court documents, the judge determined that all four factors considered in such cases weighed against granting the stay, noting that first amendment violations, even temporary ones, constitute serious harm.
Pridefest 2025 is scheduled for June 7 at Cambier Park in downtown Naples.
