Yosemite Park Ranger Fired After Hanging Transgender Pride Flag

A non-binary ranger at Yosemite National Park was dismissed after they placed a transgender pride flag on the iconic El Capitan rock formation in May. The ranger, Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who was hired in 2021 as a wildlife biologist, claims their termination violated their First Amendment rights.

Joslin clarified that they hung the flag during their personal time, off-duty, and not as part of their job responsibilities. They said the act was a protest against policies from the Trump administration targeting transgender individuals, especially following an executive order that barred transgender women from competing in women’s sports. The flag was only displayed for two hours before park officials instructed climbers to remove it, without citing any specific violations.

Following the incident, a criminal investigation was launched, and Joslin was fired at the conclusion of this three-month probe. They assert they and two other park employees are the only ones punished for placing a flag on El Capitan. Yosemite’s spokesperson mentioned that multiple NPS staff face administrative action for not adhering to park regulations, but did not specify which policies were involved.

Joslin plans to challenge their dismissal, citing an executive order from President Trump’s inauguration aimed at restoring First Amendment protections and opposing federal censorship. They emphasized their dedication to preserving Yosemite, wildlife, community rights, and Constitutional freedoms.