A federal judge is expected to rule this week on a lawsuit filed by Naples Pride, which accuses the City of Naples and the Naples Police Department of violating its First Amendment rights through permit restrictions on the city’s annual Pride Fest.
The nonprofit says city leaders forced them to move drag performances indoors in both 2023 and 2024, a change that hurt ticket sales and limited attendance. Those decisions followed community backlash over outdoor drag shows at Cambier Park, which is located next to a children’s playground.
“The city of Naples was violating our First Amendment rights by asking us to censor our First Amendment-protected speech, which is how the LGBTQ community celebrates, which includes drag festivals,” said Callhan Soldavini, a spokesperson for Naples Pride.
Naples Pride tells Gulf Coast News the nonprofit also faces a financial burden from a public safety fee that nearly doubled this year.
“When we first started our festival in 2017, it was a couple thousand dollars. That’s essentially putting a price tag on free speech, and in Naples Pride’s case, it’s essentially pricing us out of being able to say what we want to say," said Soldavini.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, asks a judge to issue a preliminary injunction that would block the current restrictions on the 2025 festival permit. It also seeks compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and other costs.
A motion hearing was held Friday in Fort Myers. Supporters of Naples Pride gathered outside the courthouse, many of them holding signs in favor of free speech and equal access to public spaces.
Back in Naples, dozens of residents packed City Hall on Wednesday during public comment, expressing support for City Council’s stance. Although the Pride Fest permit was not on the meeting agenda, dozens of speakers praised the city’s approach.
“Naples Pride is trying to, among other things, host a live drag show in public within several feet of a park with children, which we think is, of course, incredibly inappropriate,” said John Strand, a Naples resident.
“Naples is a beautiful community because it’s different, and we have no place for obscenity in front of children. We are going to win, and we’re going to do it for the right reasons," said Brett Kness, another resident.
Naples Pride tells Gulf Coast News the judge indicated a decision could come by the end of the week.
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