On May 20, 2025, visitors at Yosemite National Park looked up at El Capitan, the giant granite wall that’s a symbol of American wilderness, and saw something strange: a massive transgender pride flag stretched across the rock.
The flag was part of a stunt by activists, led by Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a park biologist. It didn’t end well; Joslin ended up fired from the National Park Service.
Radical trans activists are flying a giant transgender flag at Yosemite National Park to promote the idea that “trans is natural” and to protest Trump
They’re defacing government property.
This needs to be removed. @NatlParkService pic.twitter.com/IOTSxZC3EM
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 21, 2025
The Protest on El Capitan
The group of climbers said their goal was to show that “trans is natural.”
They wanted to push back against President Donald Trump’s policies that restore biological definitions of sex in federal law and roll back transgender participation in the military.
The flag was huge (about 55 by 35 feet) and it was unfurled in a place where large banners and demonstrations are not allowed without permits.
Supporters online praised the act as “bold”, but many others blasted it as vandalism of a national treasure.
Parks Are for Families, Not Politics
National parks like Yosemite belong to everyone. Families travel from Nevada and across the country to enjoy the beauty without politics getting shoved in their faces.
That’s why the National Park Service bans banners, graffiti, or other stunts on natural landmarks.
After earlier banner incidents, Yosemite updated its rules this year to ban flags and signs larger than 15 square feet on natural features without a permit. Joslin and the group went ahead anyway.
The Fallout
Because Joslin was still in a two-year probationary period as a federal employee, the Park Service didn’t hesitate to act. On August 12, Yosemite fired Joslin for violating conduct standards and demonstration rules, roughly 3 months after the incident.
In its decision, the Park Service said actions like this “detract from the visitor experience” and misuse public resources. In short, you were hired to protect the park – that doesn’t mean you get to use it as a billboard for politics.
Joslin and supporters argue it was a celebration, not a protest, and say the firing was unfair. Some activists even claim it will hurt scientific work at the park, since Joslin’s role in bat research now sits empty. Joslin is considering legal action.
A Symbol of the Culture War in Action
This protest came at a time when transgender activists are ramping up efforts to oppose Trump’s policies.
Critics call those policies discriminatory. Supporters say they restore fairness and protect women’s sports, prisons, and shelters from being undermined by gender ideology.
By using El Capitan as a stage, activists hoped to send a powerful message. Instead, the backlash cost one of them a career.
Takeaway for Nevada
Nevadans understand the value of natural places. From Red Rock Canyon to Lake Tahoe, we expect these places to be free from political graffiti and stunts.
Imagine the outrage if someone hung a “Trump 2024” banner across Half Dome. The rules are the rules, no matter what the message says.
No one visits a national park to engage in politics – you’re there to enjoy nature. This rule protects that peace for everyone.
This story is a clear reminder for everyone that public servants are expected to protect the spaces they’re trusted with – not use them as a backdrop for activism.
National Parks Should Unite, Not Divide
The trans flag protest at Yosemite made headlines, but in the end, the real story is about accountability.
Shannon Joslin’s firing shows that breaking the rules has consequences, even when the cause is popular with the media.
Our parks should unite us as Americans, not divide us. That’s why protecting their beauty matters infinitely more than turning them into platforms for politics.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
