A Yosemite National Park ranger was fired after hanging a pride flag from El Capitan while some park visitors could face prosecution under protest restrictions that have been tightened under President Donald Trump.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a ranger and biologist who studies bats, said they hung a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on the famous climbing wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare for about two hours on May 20, 2025 before taking it down voluntarily. A termination letter they received in August 2025 accused Joslin of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” in their capacity as a biologist and cited the May incident.
Interviewer: Pattie Gonia artist, environmentalist and drag queen, using her platform for good and making the outdoors welcoming for everyone!
Ranger fired for hanging transgender flag in Yosemite and park visitors may face prosecution. PBS News August 20, 2025.