Federal appeals court clears Florida to enforce kids-at-adult-performances law

NAPLES, Fla. — A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Florida to enforce a law restricting children from attending certain adult live performances.

On Tuesday, the full 11th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a lower court's injunction that had blocked the Florida Protection of Children Act since 2023.

The court said the law is likely constitutional and that Florida has the authority to protect minors from performances it considers obscene.

The law makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly allow a child to attend certain adult live performances that meet Florida's legal definition of material obscene for minors.

Businesses had challenged the law, arguing it was too vague and could impact family-friendly drag shows.

WINK News anchor Zoe Warner spoke with neighbors at Cambier Park in downtown Naples, where Pride Fest is held, and found mixed reactions.

Some said they were glad children would no longer be allowed at these shows, while others said the ruling takes away their freedom of expression.

"People should be allowed to express themselves like how they should be," one neighbor said.

Pastor Jeff Donaldson of Christ Community Naples said the issue is not about expression but about protection.

"I'm for people's exercise of their freedoms and their rights. And if Pride Fest believes that they want to meet, I believe they have the legal right to do that. What I don't think we have the right to do is to bring children into an atmosphere or an environment that is sexual in nature," Donaldson said.

Donaldson also said the same standard should apply to any performer.

"If a local strip club was going to go to Cambier Park and hold an event, and even if they were clothed, but they are gyrating on stage, I would have the same opinion and the same feedback. If you want to have that, have that, but not in front of kids," Donaldson said.

An ACLU representative pushed back on the ruling.

"The city may think they've won on this, but this is far from over," the representative said.

The city of Naples and Pride Fest are dealing with their own legal battles that the city told WINK News is still in active litigation.

Naples Pride told WINK News they are still preparing a statement.