Nonbinary Biologist Fired After Displaying Large Trans Pride Flag on Yosemite’s El Capitan

Yosemite National Park has become the center of a fierce conversation about LGBTQ+ visibility and free speech in protected public spaces after the recent firing of a nonbinary biologist and park ranger. Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a respected wildlife biologist and advocate for transgender rights, was dismissed from their position following their involvement in an act of protest that saw a 55-by-35-foot transgender Pride flag displayed on El Capitan, the park’s storied granite monolith .

According to Joslin, the flag was hung in May of this year during their off-duty hours, accompanied by friends and activists. The display was intended as a symbol of acceptance and a direct response to what Joslin described as the Trump administration’s efforts to erase references to transgender individuals from National Park Service materials and websites .

“I wanted to hang a huge trans flag in the heart of El Cap, because isn’t that amazing symbolism? You’re outside in nature. You have a flag of acceptance and identity for everyone,” Joslin told E&E News in a phone interview . The flag remained in place for two hours before being taken down by Joslin and their group, a gesture they say was conducted entirely outside of work hours and with no use of National Park Service resources .

Joslin, who holds a Ph.D. in bioinformatics and has worked at Yosemite since 2021, was summoned to the office of acting Deputy Superintendent Danika Globokar in mid-August and terminated on August 12. Park officials cited “failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct” as the reason for Joslin’s dismissal, referencing their participation in the flag display .

In a public statement on Instagram, Joslin wrote, “El Capitan has had flags hung on it for decades, and no one has EVER been punished for it. Only me. I was fired by the temporary Deputy Superintendent for ‘failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct’ in my capacity as a Wildlife Biologist for the park. No part of hanging the flag was done on work time. NOTHING about it had anything to do with my work” .

The National Park Service, when asked for comment, stated only that it “is pursuing administrative action against multiple National Park Service employees for failing to follow National Park Service regulations,” but did not specify which policies had allegedly been breached or respond to questions regarding the precedent for such disciplinary action .

The dismissal has been met with anger and disappointment among LGBTQ+ advocates and Yosemite staff, who describe the move as a “direct attack” on both free speech and workplace equity . Several park employees have expressed support for Joslin, noting that protest flags and banners have previously appeared on El Capitan without disciplinary repercussions .

Joslin emphasized the broader stakes of their termination, noting the chilling effect it could have on LGBTQ+ employees across federal agencies. “We don’t take our positions in the park service to make money or to have any kind of huge career gains. We take it because we love the places that we work,” Joslin told AOL News, adding that losing a federal position could significantly hinder their future career prospects .

Joslin has stated their intent to pursue legal action, arguing that their dismissal violates free speech protections, citing an executive order that purports to safeguard such rights for federal employees . Legal experts note that the case could test the boundaries between government employees’ personal expression and workplace codes of conduct, especially in high-profile federal institutions such as the National Park Service.

National LGBTQ+ organizations have condemned the firing and called for a review of Park Service policies, emphasizing the importance of visibility and expression for transgender people in public life .

The incident comes amid ongoing debates over the role of LGBTQ+ representation in federally managed lands and the enforcement of non-discrimination policies. Advocates argue that acts like Joslin’s are vital in making queer and trans people visible in America’s most cherished public spaces, while critics within the agency cite the need to maintain neutrality and compliance with federal regulations.

As Joslin prepares for a potential legal battle, the event has sparked renewed conversations about the rights of LGBTQ+ employees in public service and the meaning of pride and protest in America’s national parks.