A Yosemite National Park ranger has been dismissed after helping display a large transgender pride flag on El Capitan earlier this year, a move that has since drawn both criticism and support.
The ranger, SJ Joslin, a wildlife biologist who identifies as nonbinary, assisted in draping a 55-by-35-foot flag across the granite cliff in May. The flag was removed within hours, but park officials later ruled the action required a permit and classified it as an unauthorized demonstration. In a termination notice, the National Park Service cited Joslin’s “failure to demonstrate acceptable conduct” during their probationary employment period.
Joslin has maintained that the flag was not intended as a protest but as a gesture of visibility and inclusion for transgender people. They noted that the action took place outside of work hours and did not involve the use of government equipment.
The decision has sparked debate inside and outside the park system. Some employees and advocacy groups argue the firing represents inconsistent enforcement of park policies, pointing to past incidents where other banners were displayed on El Capitan without disciplinary action. They also raised concerns that a new regulation restricting large banners was finalized only after the flag was hung.
Supporters of the termination argue that federal employees are subject to clear rules about conduct and demonstrations on federal land. They contend that regardless of intent, bypassing permit requirements undermines park authority and sets a precedent for unauthorized displays.
The case has now drawn the attention of advocacy organizations, including Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), which has called for more transparency around the decision and is reviewing potential legal avenues. The National Park Service has not commented beyond confirming the dismissal.
For now, the incident has become a flashpoint in the broader discussion about free expression, government regulations, and the boundaries of personal identity in the workplace
