Naples City Council approves Pridefest permit with drag show limits

NAPLES, Fla. — A familiar debate resurfaced at Naples City Hall as city council members discussed Naples Pridefest during their agenda. The annual festival continues to draw strong opinions from both supporters and opponents, remaining tied to a federal lawsuit involving drag performances.

During Wednesday’s city council meeting, residents spoke out over public performances, city regulations and the future of the festival.

"We hope that rather than rely on personal ideology or personal beliefs, our city council members vote in a way that respects the First Amendment of the Constitution," said Callhan Soldavini, board member and attorney for Naples Pride.

Organizers said the city’s proposed security fee is an estimated increase of nearly $20,000. The discussion comes amid lingering legal tensions between the city and Naples Pride organizers.

Timeline of Naples Pride and the City of Naples

In 2023, the city attempted to restructure drag performances at Pridefest, requiring them to be held indoors and have age restrictions.

"For the last three years, the city has denied us and put restrictions on how we celebrate," said Soldavini.

Naples Pride filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that those restrictions violated their First Amendment rights. However, others disagree.

"I think there's a, there's a they're crossing the line between what free speech is and inappropriate action," said John Meo, chairman of the Collier County Republican executive committee.

"We have someone who has horns on and a T-shirt that says Hail Satan. I don't understand how that's family-friendly, and how you tell me that it's actually for the celebration of life," said Jacqueline Roque-De-Escobar, president of the American Hispanic Republican Club of Collier County.

Neighbors came out to rally in support of the festival before the meeting.

"It has always been peaceful. So when the city treats Pridefest like a problem, it tells families like mine that our community doesn't belong in the public, and that is not the area that I believe in," said Jill, a supporter of Naples Pridefest.

City council unanimously approved the permit for Naples Pridefest with the same conditions as last year. The drag show must be held indoors with age restrictions.