A judge will not put off enforcement of his decision allowing Naples Pride to unfold in Florida without restriction.
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Naples city officials appealed a decision by U.S. District Judge John Steele, who earlier this month ruled the violated free speech rights by issuing an event permit with a condition that Naples Pride host its drag performances indoors and limit attendance to those age 18 and older.
The city filed a brief in federal court asking Steele to stay his ruling until appellate judges review the case, but Steele said the timeliness of his decision was important.
“Since Pridefest 2025 and its drag performance are scheduled for June 7, 2025, and the preliminary injunction by its terms expires on June 8, 2025, granting a stay would essentially vacate the preliminary injunction,” Steele wrote in a decision denying the city request.
The judge also ordered officials to reassess the excessive security costs charged. Naples initially intended to charge Naples Pride $36,000 in security costs for the event, far more than similar-sized events at the same Campier Park venue.
Naples Pride has always kept its programming family-friendly. But in the wake of Florida passing an anti-drag law threatening venues allowing minors into live shows with “sexual conduct,” the city forced performances at Pride indoors and demanded age restrictions. However, a federal judge in Orlando struck down that law in June 2023. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling this month, and the U.S. Supreme Court already said the state cannot enforce the law even as the decision gets appealed.
Steele said the Cambier Park venue where Naples Pride is expected is a public forum where free speech enjoys high protection.
“Even if Cambier Park became a limited public forum, the location and age restrictions would violate the First Amendment because they are neither content nor viewpoint neutral,” Steele ruled.
