Yosemite Park ranger and biologist, Shannon “SJ” Joslin (they/them), speaks to a group of peaceful protesters near the park’s Welcome Center during a Pride Protest in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. At the time, Dr. Joslin was still a park employee.
Yosemite ranger fired for hanging Trans flag on El Capitan
Tracy Barbutes | United States
Photographer: Tracy Barbutes
Exhibit Title: Yosemite ranger fired for hanging Trans flag on El Capitan
Location: United States
Transgender, queer, and allied activists hung a 66’-by-35’ trans flag on El Capitan (Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La) above an area referred to as Heart Ledges for about two hours before voluntarily taking it down, in Yosemite National Park, California, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The following day, the Yosemite Superintendent’s Compendium was updated with a new clause that banned flag displays. The update is dated May 20, the same day as the flag display, but Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden signed it into effect on May 21.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin (they/them), a ranger and biologist who helped hang the flag, received a termination letter on August 12 that accused Joslin of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” in their capacity as a biologist and cited the May incident.
Dr. Joslin, a beloved member of the Yosemite community, is seeking legal counsel to fight her dismissal with hopes of being reinstated. They stated, “It isn’t just about one ranger. It’s about whether everyone has the right to speak freely in the United States.”
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