Residents ask for council to cancel Naples Pride Fest

NAPLES, Fla. (FLV) – Dozens of speakers gathered at the Naples City Council meeting Wednesday as members considered whether to allow the Naples Pride Fest to take place in the downtown area this summer.

Many parents were concerned about the “sexually-charged” event taking place at a children’s park and advocated for the event to take place at a private venue.

“As a parent, I feel that I should be able to take my child to a park and for them not to be exposed and solicited with flyers and things like that,” said one parent at the meeting. “And they should be able to play in a park in peace without seeing drag queens while they play.”

Other advocates said the event is “family-friendly.” The organization had requested the event take place at Cambier Park on June 10. Event organizers were requested to fill out a Repeat Special Event Application for the city to consider.

Cori Craciun, the president of Naples Pride, said the event helps the group raise money for its year-long programs.

“In 2022 we had almost 1200 interactions and just last month we had 40 people asking for help. 19 homeless and only five identified as lgbtq. We are able to do all of this because of the Naples Pride Fest,” Craciun said.

The council is excepted to continue reviewing the item at the March 1 city council meeting.