Non-Binary Park Biologist Fired After Trans Flag Display on El Capitan

If you're spending any time this summer in one of our country's great national parks, leave your flags at home. Thus sayeth the National Park Service's acting superintendent, Danika Globokar, on May 21st, when they signed a new rule barring the displaying of large flags. The rule is part of the new Park Service compendium of regulations that was dated May 20. As reported in The New York Times, park service biologist Shannon Joslin was fired from her position as a result of her participation in the unfurling of a large Trans Pride flag on the face of El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park, that took place on May 20th.

Dr. Joslin, who is gay and identifies as non-binary, has a PhD in genetics and has been studying bats. “failed to demonstrate acceptable conduct” according to their termination letter dated Aug 12th, and signed by Globular. It was further argued that the demonstration and display were enacted in a prohibited area without proper permits.

According to the Times, the new ruling, which outlaws displays of large flags through most of the park, "coincided with a broader push by the federal government to limit political demonstrations on public lands, especially those critical of the policies of the Trump administration."

Dr. Joslin argues that the climb and subsequent display of the flag were committed before the ban took effect, and that the group was unaware of the pending ban. In addition, they state in a recent interview, "Everything that I did was off the clock and had absolutely nothing to do with my capacity working for the National Park Service. I think that the administration is using me as a sign to tell all of the other federal employees that they have to be silent and comply, or they will be eliminated."

“Several unauthorized demonstrations involving El Capitan generated numerous complaints from visitors,” National Park Service spokeswoman Rachel Pawlitz said in a Times interview, and speaking of possible litigation of Park employees and visitors engaged in demonstrations. “Yosemite National Park was designated by Congress to highlight the beautiful natural and cultural features of the area. No matter the cause, displaying signs, banners, and flags outside of designated First-Amendment areas detracts from the visitor experience and the protection of the park.”

Violators could face up to six months in jail and a fine of 5K-10K, depending on whether it's an individual or a group.

In February, demonstrators hung an upside-down American flag on the face of El Capitan. Such positioning of that flag is used as a distress signal, originating with sailors. The display of the flag at that time was to highlight the purging of thousands of Park Service employees by Elon Musk's DOGE.

“We flew the Trans pride flag in Yosemite to make a statement: Trans people are natural and Trans people are loved,” drag queen and social media outdoors influencer @pattiegonia, who was involved in the display, said in the group’s statement. “Let this flag fly higher than hate. We are done being polite about Trans people’s existence. Call it a protest, call it a celebration — either way, it’s giving elevation to liberation.”⁠ (Quoted by @themeteor).

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