TL;DR
- St. George, Utah, ordered to pay $350,000 to drag performers.
- The ruling supports First Amendment rights.
- City denied a permit for an all-ages drag show.
- ACLU claims this reflects broader discrimination.
- Settlement includes compensation and public apology.
In a dazzling display of justice, the city of St. George, Utah, has been ordered to cough up a whopping $350,000 to the Southern Utah Drag Stars. This comes after a federal judge ruled in favor of the fierce performers in a years-long battle over their First Amendment rights. Talk about a fabulous win!
The drama began back in 2023 when the Southern Utah Drag Stars, led by their CEO Mitski Avalox, were denied a permit to host an all-ages drag show at a city-owned public park. The group argued that this denial was not just a simple bureaucratic hiccup, but a blatant violation of their rights to free speech and equal protection under the law.
Backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, the Southern Utah Drag Stars took a stand, claiming that St. George’s actions were part of a disturbing trend of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. “This is the latest offense in a larger pattern of attacks discriminating against gender-diverse and LGBTQ+ people and their rights in Utah and throughout the country,” said ACLU attorney Emerson Sykes, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality.
While the city tried to play it cool, asserting that they were merely enforcing event regulations, the court wasn’t having any of it. In a stunning turn of events, the court sided with the performers, delivering a resounding victory for LGBTQ+ rights. The settlement reached in 2025 not only included the hefty compensation but also a public apology from the city.
Now, with this latest ruling confirming that St. George must cover the legal fees, it’s clear that the fight for drag rights is far from over. This case serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing battles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, especially in regions where acceptance is still a work in progress.
As we celebrate this monumental win, let’s not forget that every step towards equality is a step worth taking. The Southern Utah Drag Stars have shown that when it comes to standing up for your rights, it pays to be fabulous—and fearless!