LOOGOOTEE — A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the city of Loogootee, Indiana, to allow its annual Pride Fest to be held on the public square on September 6, 2025. The ruling by Judge Richard Young found the city’s special events ordinance to be unconstitutional, as it infringed on the First Amendment rights of the festival’s organizers.
The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU of Indiana, which argued that the city’s 2024 ordinance, subsequently amended in 2025, was overly broad and unfairly restricted the festival’s location and application process. The court issued a permanent injunction, blocking the enforcement of the ordinance. The ruling noted that other public events have been held in the public square, and there was no valid reason to treat Pride Fest differently.
The court’s decision is considered a significant victory for LGBTQ+ visibility and free speech, as it allows the festival to return to its established location. It reaffirms that municipalities cannot create overly restrictive policies that violate the First Amendment.
City to Appeal Ruling
Loogootee city officials have expressed disappointment with the judge’s ruling and plan to appeal. They maintain that the ordinance was designed to ensure public safety, provide liability protection, and apply equally to all groups. The city’s statement said the ordinance directs event organizers to use either the Loogootee City Park or the downtown Green Space, with the option for additional street closures if an event’s size warrants it.
Officials said they were prepared to approve Pride Fest for the Green Space and even close an additional street to accommodate vendors. They argue that the size of the event does not require multiple street closures and that other small events have used the Green Space successfully. According to the city, the festival had previously accepted the Green Space as a venue under a prior administration. City leaders emphasized that their opposition to the location was not about free speech but about minimizing disruptions to businesses and residents.
