Southern Utah Drag Stars File Lawsuit Challenging the City of St. George’s Censorship of Drag Performances

In partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Foundation, Inc., (ACLU of Utah), Jenner & Block is representing the organization Southern Utah Drag Stars, which filed a lawsuit challenging the city of St. George, Utah’s censorship of drag performances.

The city refused to grant the organization a special events permit to host a family-friendly drag show, part of a months-long effort to target drag performances and LGBTQ+ pride events, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Utah constitution.

“The city of St. George is violating the First Amendment rights of Drag Stars and discriminating against them through a façade of permits and ordinances that have never been applied in this manner with any other group or organization,” Partner Jeremy Creelan said in a press release. “LGBTQ+ performers are entitled to protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and we are asking the court to protect these fundamental rights and put a stop to this deeply troubling attack on free expression.”

The Jenner & Block team is led by Jeremy and Partner Rémi Jaffré, with assistance from Special Counsel Nathan Castellano, Associates Owen Keiter, Meredith Hurley, and Jocelyn Sitton, Law Clerk Sarah Purtill, and Paralegals Cheryl Olson and Grace Liberman.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Southern Utah Drag Stars File Lawsuit Challenging the City of St. George’s Censorship of Drag Performances

In partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Foundation, Inc., (ACLU of Utah), Jenner & Block is representing the organization Southern Utah Drag Stars, which filed a lawsuit challenging the city of St. George, Utah’s censorship of drag performances.

The city refused to grant the organization a special events permit to host a family-friendly drag show, part of a months-long effort to target drag performances and LGBTQ+ pride events, violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments and the Utah constitution.

“The city of St. George is violating the First Amendment rights of Drag Stars and discriminating against them through a façade of permits and ordinances that have never been applied in this manner with any other group or organization,” Partner Jeremy Creelan said in a press release. “LGBTQ+ performers are entitled to protections under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and we are asking the court to protect these fundamental rights and put a stop to this deeply troubling attack on free expression.”

The Jenner & Block team is led by Jeremy and Partner Rémi Jaffré, with assistance from Special Counsel Nathan Castellano, Associates Owen Keiter, Meredith Hurley, and Jocelyn Sitton, Law Clerk Sarah Purtill, and Paralegals Cheryl Olson and Grace Liberman.

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

News and Insights

Podcasts

Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon Discusses Fintech Enforcement, Debanking, and Regulatory Risk on Fintech Layer Cake Podcast

Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon was featured on the Fintech Layer Cake podcast, where she discussed how fintech enforcement and prosecution actually work in practice, and what exposes fintechs and banks to regulatory risk.

July 15, 2026

Publications

Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Private Rights of Action Under the Investment Company Act, Private Equity Law Report

Partners Charles Riely, Todd C. Toral, and Martin Glass authored a guest article for Private Equity Law Report examining the US Supreme Court's June 11, 2026, ruling on the scope of private rights of action under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

July 14, 2026

Publications

Emily Loeb Discusses Congressional Oversight Preparedness in Bloomberg Law

Partner Emily Loeb, co-chair of Jenner & Block's Congressional Investigations Practice, spoke with Bloomberg Law article about how companies can prepare for potential oversight exposure ahead of this fall's midterm elections.

July 7, 2026

Publications

In New York Law Journal, The True Lender Doctrine and the OppFi Decision

Partners Jeremy Creelan, Michael Ross, Megan Poetzel, and Laurel Loomis Rimon, and Associate Molly Oberstein-Allen authored an article for the New York Law Journal examining the "True Lender" doctrine in light of a May 2026 California decision that provides the most detailed judicial framework to date for evaluating bank-nonbank lending partnerships.

July 1, 2026

Event

Partner Michael Vernick to Speak at NACUA's 2026 Annual Conference

On July 1, Partner Michael Vernick will speak on a panel at the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) 2026 Annual Conference in Nashville.

July 1, 2026