Ranger dismissed from Yosemite National Park after aiding in the installation of a transgender pride flag on El Capitan.
Yosemite National Park Fires Ranger Over Trans Pride Flag Display
Yosemite National Park has found itself in the centre of controversy after firing a ranger, Shannon "SJ" Joslin, for displaying a trans pride flag on El Capitan. The flag, which measured 55ft by 35ft, was raised on May 19, 2022, during Joslin's off-duty hours.
According to park regulations, employees and guests are required to obtain a permit to display flags over the natural landscape, including large flags on iconic features such as El Capitan. While displaying flags is not expressly banned, hanging large flags without a permit violates park rules, particularly after recent policy updates banning large flags in wilderness areas.
Joslin, who identifies as trans and uses they-them pronouns, had been working as a ranger and wildlife biologist at Yosemite National Park since 2021. Despite following written and unwritten park rules, Joslin was fired later in August 2025 for "failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct" related to this flag display.
The firing has sparked controversy and accusations that it is part of a broader crackdown on political demonstrations and LGBTQ+ visibility within the National Park Service. Supporters argue this action infringes on employees' First Amendment rights and values of inclusion and community, while others support the enforcement of park rules against unauthorized flag displays.
Prior incidents at Yosemite involved employees hanging flags in protest, such as an upside-down American flag in response to federal funding cuts under the Trump administration and a “Stop the Genocide” flag protesting U.S. and Israeli policies during the Gaza conflict. These demonstrations reportedly did not lead to disciplinary action until the trans pride flag incident.
Joslin plans to seek legal counsel and contest the decision to fire them, promising to fight "tooth and nail" to defend their freedom of speech. The National Park Service (NPS) is pursuing administrative action against several Yosemite National Park employees and possible criminal charges against several park visitors who are alleged to have violated federal laws and regulations related to demonstrations.
It is worth noting that climbers have been hanging flags on El Cap for decades, both visitors and park employees during their off-time. However, no one but Shannon Joslin has faced ramifications for flag-hanging activities on El Cap.
| Aspect | Details | |--------|---------| | Flag displays policy | Must obtain permit; large flags banned in wilderness areas including El Capitan | | Recent enforcement | Employee fired (Shannon Joslin) for off-duty trans pride flag display on El Capitan in May 2025 | | Previous incidents | Upside-down U.S. flags and protest flags displayed without known discipline | | Controversy | Firing perceived as crackdown on political expression and LGBTQ+ visibility; debates over First Amendment rights | | Park official statements | Enforcement based on park conduct policies and permit requirements |
This information is based on reports from August 2025 by multiple news sources documenting the policy context, individual cases, and reactions.
References: 1. New York Times 2. Los Angeles Times 3. CNN 4. The Guardian
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