• Yosemite ranger Shannon "SJ" Joslin was fired for hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan.
• The flag display sparked a backlash, with accusations of silencing LGBTQ+ voices.
• The National Park Service is pursuing potential criminal charges against participants.
• Joslin claims their dismissal is an attack on free speech and identity.
• The Park Service recently tightened regulations surrounding demonstrations in the park.

A Yosemite National Park ranger, Shannon "SJ" Joslin, was terminated after participating in the hanging of a transgender pride flag from El Capitan on May 20. Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary, described the action as a personal expression of support for the LGBTQ+ community and a response to policies that they believe target transgender individuals. In a social media post, Joslin expressed that their firing was a violation of their rights and stated, “If you’re a federal worker and your identity doesn’t align with this administration, you must be silent or be eliminated,” according to CBS News and India Times.

The flag, a 66-foot-wide banner raised by Joslin and a group of climbers, was displayed for approximately two hours before being removed by the participants. The National Park Service indicated that violations of regulations related to demonstrations could result in criminal charges or administrative action against both park employees and visitors. Joslin and two other rangers who helped display the flag are reportedly on administrative leave during the investigation, as cited by Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.

The National Park Service has tightened regulations following the incident, banning displays of flags and banners larger than 15 square feet in most areas of the park, with officials stating such displays detract from visitor experiences. “This decision highlights a growing trend of limiting free expression in federal spaces,” said environmental activist Pattie Gonia, who also participated in the flag raising, according to India Times.

The response from activists has been widespread, with many calling for an independent investigation into the park’s actions and demanding the reinstatement of Joslin. They argue the firing symbolizes broader societal pressures against LGBTQ+ visibility and participation in public spaces. “Our freedoms matter,” Joslin stated, emphasizing the significance of their actions and the implications of their dismissal on civil rights, as highlighted by Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and Newsweek.