Naples Pride v. City of Naples

  • Latest Update: Jan 15, 2026
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Summary

Our client Naples Pride, a nonprofit that provides services and hosts events for the LGBTQ+ community, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Naples and its entities for denying the nonprofit organization a special events permit to host a family-friendly drag performance in one of the city’s public parks as part of its annual Pridefest celebration. The city’s refusal to grant a permit was part of a years-long effort to target drag performances and LGBTQ+ pride events in violation of the First Amendment. The complaint was filed on April 10, 2025. The district court granted a preliminary injunction on May 12, 2025, but the Eleventh Circuit -- in a split, 2-1 decision -- placed a stay on that ruling on June 6, 2025, the day before the event. The event went forward on June 7 with the drag performance indoors.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Since 2023, Naples Pride has repeatedly been denied a permit to host an outdoor drag performance in a public park during Pride Month by the City of Naples due to public backlash. The City has also imposed age requirements and exorbitant security fees for the event. These restrictions followed several years of permission to host the performance unimpeded. At the heart of this lawsuit is the First Amendment right to expressive speech that promises a forum for all citizens to freely express themselves.

The Latest: As we look forward to next year’s event, we are in the midst of the discovery process.