The radical Left thought they had won another battle in their war on traditional family values.
They were dead wrong.
And Byron Donalds just delivered a crushing blow to woke activists that proves exactly why he’s surging in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
Federal appeals court hands major victory to Naples families
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a stunning reversal on Friday that sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ activist community.
The court ruled in favor of the City of Naples, forcing Naples Pride to move their planned drag show indoors and restrict attendance to adults only.
This victory came after Naples City Council voted 5-2 in April to move the planned drag performance away from Cambier Park – a popular family destination with playgrounds – and limit the event to those 18 and older.
Naples Pride and the American Civil Liberties Union immediately sued the city and won a preliminary injunction from federal judge John Steele that would have allowed the "family-friendly" drag show to proceed in the public park.
But the appeals court saw right through this assault on parental rights and community standards.
Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida Governor, has been leading the charge against this inappropriate event from the beginning.
"An appeals court has officially DENIED a drag show from taking place next to a popular children’s playground in Naples," Donalds announced 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."
Donalds called out the activist judge who tried to force this on families
When Judge John Steele initially ruled against the city, Donalds didn’t mince words about the Clinton-appointed judge’s terrible decision.
"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.
The Congressman’s willingness to call out judicial activism resonated with parents across Southwest Florida who were horrified at the prospect of having to explain inappropriate performances to their children at what should be a family-friendly park.
Liberty Counsel, the nonprofit organization fighting for religious freedom, celebrated the appeals court decision on social media.
"WIN FOR DECENCY! The 11th Circuit granted Naples’ motion to stay, so the Naples Pride drag event will be moved inside, away from the playground, and limited to adults," the organization wrote.
"There’s no such thing as a ‘family friendly’ drag show – obscenity is NOT protected by the First Amendment," they added.
Even Donalds’ wife joined the fight for Florida families
Erika Donalds, wife of Congressman Donalds, also celebrated the victory.
"VICTORY. Big win for Naples families! A federal judge granted a stay against Naples Pride, forcing their drag show indoors, protecting children in our beloved park," she wrote. "Thank you, City of Naples, Liberty Counsel, and all of our fellow citizens for fighting for our children!"
The fact that both Byron and Erika Donalds were willing to take a public stand shows exactly the kind of leadership Florida families need in the Governor’s mansion.
This is why Donalds is surging in the gubernatorial race
While other politicians might have stayed quiet to avoid controversy, Byron Donalds stepped up and fought for what’s right.
He understood that parents shouldn’t have to worry about inappropriate content being forced on their children in public parks that their tax dollars help maintain.
"This is a huge win for SWFL families, but it never should have come to this," Donalds emphasized, showing he recognizes this fight shouldn’t have been necessary in the first place.
The appeals court’s decision validates what common-sense parents have been saying all along – there’s a time and place for adult entertainment, and it’s not next to children’s playgrounds.
This victory demonstrates exactly why Byron Donalds is gaining momentum in Florida’s gubernatorial race.
While the woke mob continues to push their radical agenda on families, Donalds is standing firm for traditional values and parental rights.
Florida families can count on him to fight these battles – and win them.
The appeals court ruling moves the drag performance indoors and restricts it to adults only, exactly what the Naples City Council originally voted for before activist groups sued the city.
It’s a common-sense solution that protects children while still allowing adults to make their own choices about what entertainment they attend.
Byron Donalds proved once again that he’s the conservative fighter Florida needs as Governor.
