Southern Utah Drag Stars File Lawsuit Challenging the City of St. George’s Censorship of Drag Performances
News
May 23, 2023
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.
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© 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
May 23, 2023
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.
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