Naples, Florida became ground zero in America's fight to protect children from radical leftist activists.
The ACLU tried to bully this small city into submission with a federal lawsuit.
But Naples residents just showed the ACLU what fighting back looks like.
Parents Packed City Hall to Protect Their Kids
Naples Pride — backed by the deep pockets of the ACLU — filed a federal lawsuit in April demanding the city allow drag performances at Cambier Park, a public space with a children's playground right in the heart of downtown Naples.¹
The ACLU claimed Naples violated the group's First Amendment rights by requiring drag shows be held indoors and limited to adults 18 and older.
Naples residents weren't having it.
More than a dozen packed City Hall on December 11 to tell the City Council exactly what they thought of taxpayers being forced to fund security for "deliberately provocative adult events."²
"These drag events are a misuse of public funds, demanding taxpayers secure this deliberately provocative adult event is audacious and an abuse of public resources," resident Andrea Warder told the council.²
https://twitter.com/JohnStrandUSA/status/1999208782421733870?s=20
The fight has been raging since 2023 when Naples decided enough was enough after years of hosting the events without restrictions.
Federal Courts Sided With Common Sense Over ACLU Activists
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals handed Naples Pride and their ACLU lawyers a crushing defeat in June when it ruled the city acted lawfully in requiring drag performances stay indoors away from children.³
Two Trump-appointed judges — Robert Luck and Andrew Brasher — formed the majority opinion that rejected the ACLU's claim the city discriminated based on viewpoint.
Naples isn't censoring anyone.
The city simply said if adults want to watch drag performances, they can do it indoors at venues restricted to those 18 and older — not in public parks where families bring their children.
That's called protecting kids, not discrimination.
The ruling came just hours before Naples Pride's seventh annual festival at Cambier Park, forcing organizers to move their drag show indoors to the Norris Center where it belonged.³
Naples Pride's board member called the decision "disappointing" and vowed to "keep fighting."⁴
Good luck with that.
Parents aren't backing down.
ACLU's Security Fee Scam Gets Exposed
Here's where it gets really interesting.
Naples Pride complained the city's $44,000 security fee estimate was "unconstitutional."¹
Let's break down those numbers.
In 2017, security for Naples Pride cost taxpayers just $1,125.
By 2024, that figure exploded to $15,520.
For this year's outdoor event, the city estimated $44,160 in security costs.⁵
Why the massive increase?
Because Naples Pride created the security problem in the first place by insisting on holding controversial adult-themed performances in family spaces.
The city isn't charging more because they dislike drag.
They're charging more because Naples Pride's own actions created legitimate public safety concerns that require significantly more law enforcement presence.
A Clinton-appointed federal judge initially sided with Naples Pride in May, calling the city's restrictions "clearly invalid."⁶
But that ruling got overturned by the appeals court just weeks later when common sense prevailed.
Naples City Attorney Matthew McConnell and city officials met behind closed doors on December 11 to discuss legal strategy as the lawsuit continues.²
This Is About Protecting Children, Not Discrimination
Multiple residents stressed during public comment that this debate isn't about discriminating against anyone.
Parents simply don't want their children exposed to sexually suggestive adult performances in public parks.
One resident cited Florida Statute 800.047, which exists specifically to shield minors from sexual content and simulated sexual conduct.²
Another speaker called Naples Pride's lawsuit "procedural gaslighting," pointing out organizers are demanding taxpayers fund security for events designed to provoke controversy.²
Naples Pride executive director Cori Craciun claimed the city should focus on "real needs from their constituents" instead of protecting children.¹
That statement tells you everything you need to know about their priorities.
Parents protecting their kids from inappropriate sexual content IS addressing real needs.
That's exactly what constituents elected city leaders to do.
The ACLU and Naples Pride keep insisting drag performances are "family-friendly" and just "art, performance, and storytelling."⁷
If these performances are so innocent and appropriate for children, why the aggressive legal fight?
Why the lawsuit alleging discrimination?
Because they know what they're really pushing isn't appropriate for kids, and they're counting on intimidating cities into backing down rather than standing up for parents.
Naples isn't backing down.
The City Council approved the Pride festival with a 5-2 vote, but maintained the requirement that any drag shows stay indoors and be restricted to adults only.¹
Two council members — Bill Kramer and Vice-Mayor Terry Hutchison — voted against the permit entirely, objecting to organizers falsely characterizing drag shows as "family friendly."¹
"Ten to one, my constituents have said: 'We don't want drag shows at Cambier Park,'" Kramer told his fellow council members.¹
That's called listening to voters.
Democrats should try it sometime.
Naples residents showed up, spoke up, and refused to let the ACLU bully their city into exposing children to inappropriate content.
More cities need to follow Naples' example and tell the ACLU exactly where they can take their lawsuits.
¹ "Naples Pride can have 2025 festival, but no outdoor drag show," WGCU PBS & NPR for Southwest Florida, January 16, 2025.
² Michelle Vecerina, "Public opposes drag shows following Naples City Council closed session on Pride lawsuit," Naples Daily News, December 11, 2025.
³ "Appeals court says city can restrict LGBTQ drag show, move indoors away from kids," The Washington Times, June 7, 2025.
⁴ "Federal Appeals Court Upholds Limits On Florida Drag Show, Including No Minors Rule," ZeroHedge, June 8, 2025.
⁵ "Federal Judge Says Naples Pride Can Hold Outdoor Drag Show, Points to First Amendment," B1039, May 15, 2025.
⁶ "'Naples Pride's Drag Performance is Protected Speech:' Federal Court Grants a Major Victory," ACLU of Florida, May 13, 2025.
⁷ "Naples Pride Files Lawsuit Challenging the City of Naples' Censorship of Drag Performances," ACLU of Florida, April 11, 2025.
