Naples Pride

A decision on the Naples Pride Festival permit heads to the Naples City Council.

Judge denies most of the City’s motion to dismiss, clearing the way for Naples Pride’s claims to proceed as the case continues.

Conversations about sexual orientation remain complex and often avoided in many religious communities, but one local group is working to change that.

Naples Pridefest faced multiple legal hurdles just to happen. Twenty-four hours prior to the gates opening the Circuit Court of Appeals forced the marquee event, the Drag Extravaganza, indoors.

More than 4,000 people showed up to Pridefest this year, but only about 600 of them were able to attend the drag performances the festival is known for.That’s due to a decision from a federal court that forced the annual drag show inside the Norris Center in downtown Naples, away from the main stage of Cambier Park.

A federal judge Tuesday stood behind a ruling that blocked restrictions the city of Naples tried to place on a drag show as part of an upcoming LGBTQ “Pridefest.”

The show will go on for Naples Pride’s annual Pridefest drag show this year, following a federal judge’s ruling that the City of Naples’ restrictions on the event partially violate the First Amendment.

The Naples City Council voted 5-2 to allow Naples Pride to hold its annual festival in Cambier Park in June. But the group cannot have a drag show on the stage outdoors in the park.

Naples Pridefest celebrated the LGBTQIA community peacefully this weekend.

New legislation as well as damage from Hurricane Ian have taken a toll on the Naples Pride Center.