The National Park Service has fired a California ranger who draped a massive transgender pride flag across Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan rock formation earlier this year.
The National Park ranger was identified as Shannon “SJ” Joslin, 35, a wildlife biologist who “identifies” as “non-binary” and uses “they/them” pronouns.
She announced on Instagram Monday that the park dismissed her “for practicing my First Amendment right.”
Joslin admitted to raising the 55-foot by 35-foot flag in May but insisted the action was done while off duty as a private citizen.
“I was fired by the temporary Deputy Superintendent for ‘failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct’ in my capacity as a Wildlife Biologist for the park,” Joslin wrote.
“No part of hanging the flag was done on work time.
“NOTHING about it had anything to do with my work.”
She said the flag flew for about two hours before being taken down and argued that “no one” had ever been punished for hanging banners across El Capitan before.
“I want my rights and I want my career back,” Joslin added.
A National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is pursuing “administrative action” against Yosemite employees.
The DOJ is reportedly considering “possible criminal charges” against visitors who participated in the demonstration.
NPS spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz said:
“However, we want to emphasize that we take the protection of the park’s resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously, and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences.”
Joslin partnered with a group called Trans Is Natural to organize the protest.
Unsurprisingly, she said the stunt was aimed at pushing back against President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle radical gender ideology.
“Raising this flag in the heart of El Capitan is a celebration of our community standing in solidarity with each other and all targeted groups,” Joslin said at the time.
“Trans existence is not up for debate.
“We are social workers, public servants, parents, and neighbors.
“Being trans is a natural, beautiful part of human and biological diversity.
“We can only make progress when we embrace diversity, not erase it.”
In response to the incident, Yosemite’s acting superintendent, Ray McPadden, signed a directive banning “any banner, flag, or sign larger than fifteen square feet…or a series or combination of banners, flags, or signs that total more than fifteen square feet” without a permit.
Earlier this year, Yosemite staffers had hung the U.S. flag upside down on El Capitan.
The stunt was in protest of the layoffs by President Trump.
The move also drew similar scrutiny.
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