Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) hailed a federal appeals court ruling denying a drag show performance from taking place outdoors at Naples Pride Fest and forcing it to be 18 and older this weekend.
"An appeals court has officially DENIED a drag show from taking place next to a popular children's playground in Naples," Donalds said on Friday. "Thank you to everyone who joined us in this fight over the past month. This is a huge win for SWFL families, but it never should have come to this."
The last-minute ruling comes after Rep. Donalds criticized a federal judge for allowing the drag show performance to proceed at Cambier Park. The judge, John Steele, had denied a motion by the City of Naples to stop the drag show from happening outdoors.
The city previously voted to move the drag show indoors and to have it 18 and over. Naples Pride then sued the city.
"You have to be an adult to enter a strip club, but Clinton-appointed Judge John Steele wants sexually-explicit drag shows to take place next to a popular children’s playground in Naples," Donalds said at the time.
Last Month, Steele issued an initial preliminary injunction allowing the performance to proceed, citing the LGBTQ+ organizations' First Amendment rights to free speech, even in a limited public forum. The city appealed, saying Naples Pride and the ACLU filed their injunction too late to argue.
The city also requested a stay during the appeal, which Steele denied.
At the time, Donalds urged the City of Naples to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. That apparently will not be necessary
The decision, made by the Eleventh Circuit, effectively moves the drag performance indoors and permits only those aged 18 or older to enter the venue.
