07-02-2025
St. George reaches agreement with Drag Stars, apologizes for violating First Amendment rights
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The City of St. George and Southern Utah Drag Stars reached an agreement Friday in a discrimination lawsuit filed more than a year ago, prompting a public apology from St. George.
St. George City settled a lawsuit with , which was backed by the , on Friday, Feb. 7, according to court documents.
As part of the settlement, the ACLU said St. George admitted to violating Drag Stars' First Amendment rights and agreed to release a public apology for denying their special events permit in 2023. In exchange, the ACLU agreed to drop the lawsuit.
Shortly after the settlement was filed, St. George released a public apology saying, in part, that it 'regrets violating SUDS' constitutionally protected right to free speech' and 'welcomes all citizens to hold special events in the future.'
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The lawsuit stemmed from an incident in early 2023 where the CEO of Southern Utah Drag Stars, Mitski Avalōx, was allegedly denied an event permit for a family-friendly drag event. The city allegedly used a local advertising ordinance to deny the permit request.
In May of the same year, the Southern Utah Drag Stars sued St. George claiming it had discriminated against drag performances and other LGBTQ+ events, violating their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The ACLU claims this permit denial was 'part of a years-long effort to target drag performances and LGBTQ+ pride events.'
On Friday, Feb. 7, the ACLU announced the agreement with the city calling it a 'historic settlement.'
'Amid nationwide attacks on LGBTQ+ people, this settlement is a reminder that the First Amendment protects everyone,' said Emerson Sykes, ACLU senior staff attorney. 'Drag is undeniably a form of artistic and political expression and we couldn't be more pleased that our clients' rights have been vindicated.'
St. George's full statement can be read below:
In the Spring of 2023, Southern Utah Drag Stars, LLC ('SUDS') submitted an application to hold a special event in St. George City and St. George City denied the permit. St. George City admits the permit denial violated SUDS' First Amendment rights and publicly apologizes for violating SUDS' First Amendment rights. St. George City regrets violating SUDS' constitutionally protected right to free speech, it strives to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and it has worked with SUDS to favorably resolve the violation of SUDS' rights. St. George City welcomes all citizens to hold special events in the future and respects the First Amendment rights of all community members.
St. George City
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