A Yosemite National Park ranger and wildlife biologist says they were fired last week, three months after helping a group of climbers briefly display a transgender Pride flag high on El Capitan. The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed it is pursuing administrative actions against park employees and said some visitors involved could face criminal charges tied to demonstration rules.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin wrote on social media that the May 20 display was done off-duty and lasted about two hours before the flag was removed. In a termination letter, a Yosemite official cited “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct.” Joslin called the ranger job a “dream” and argues the dismissal violates their First Amendment rights. AP reporting states the flag measured roughly 66 feet. Two other rangers who helped are on administrative leave, according to Joslin.
NPS, coordinating with the Justice Department, said it cannot discuss personnel specifics but noted that most demonstrations in the park require permits and that only designated areas are set aside for “First Amendment” activities. The agency said “unauthorized demonstrations involving El Capitan generated numerous complaints from visitors.”
Why this happened — and the rule change that followed
One day after the flag flew, Yosemite formalized stricter limits on large signs and banners in the backcountry. An updated Superintendent’s Compendium dated May 2025 bans banners, flags, or signs larger than 15 square feet in designated wilderness unless permitted. Because more than 90% of Yosemite is wilderness, the rule covers most of El Capitan’s walls. (The park’s “Laws & Policies” page reflects the May 2025 update.)
The tougher line on displays came after a series of high-profile banner actions on El Capitan over the past year, including a “Stop the Genocide” Gaza-war protest in June 2024 and an upside-down U.S. flag in February 2025.
What each side is saying
- Joslin’s view: In Instagram posts and media interviews, Joslin says the action was a personal expression of identity, done off-duty, and that flags have appeared on El Capitan “for decades” without similar punishment. They say they want their rights and career back.
- NPS view: The agency says it is enforcing federal laws and park regulations to protect resources and visitor experiences, and that demonstrations generally need permits and must occur in designated areas. It confirmed administrative actions for employees and possible charges for some visitors.
Context and timeline
- May 20, 2025: Group unfurls the trans Pride flag near El Capitan’s summit; it’s taken down after about two hours. (AP reports ~66-foot dimensions.)
- May 2025: Yosemite signs/updates its Superintendent’s Compendium, adding an explicit wilderness ban on large banners and flags without a permit
- Mid-August 2025: Joslin says they were terminated for “unacceptable conduct.” NPS says discipline is underway for multiple employees; some visitors could face charges.
What readers want to know
Was hanging the flag illegal?
As of May 2025, Yosemite’s rules prohibit hanging banners/flags larger than 15 sq. ft. in wilderness without a permit, and most demonstrations require permits in designated areas. Whether conduct before or after the update violates federal regulations is part of what investigators and prosecutors will assess.
Could Joslin or others face criminal charges?
NPS says it’s working with the Justice Department and that some visitors “may” face charges tied to demonstration rules. It hasn’t detailed which laws might be invoked. Administrative actions against employees are separate from any criminal case.
Were similar displays treated differently in the past?
At least two notable banners appeared on El Capitan in the last 14 months—the Gaza-war protest banner (June 2024) and an inverted U.S. flag (February 2025). Those incidents spurred debate and, according to coverage, helped prompt Yosemite to codify stricter rules in May 2025.
What happens next?
- Internally, NPS is pursuing personnel actions; two rangers who allegedly helped are on leave.
- Externally, federal authorities will decide if any charges are warranted.
- Joslin and advocacy groups have signaled a potential legal challenge on First Amendment grounds
Why it matters
The case spotlights a collision of values in national parks:
- Free expression vs. protected places: Parks are public lands but also tightly regulated to protect resources and experiences.
- Employee speech: Government workers enjoy some constitutional protections, yet agencies can discipline conduct deemed inconsistent with duties or rules.
- Policy clarity: Yosemite’s May 2025 update created an explicit ban on large banners in wilderness—rules visitors and staff must now navigate.
Editor’s note on sourcing
Key facts in this report—including the firing, the NPS statement about administrative actions and possible charges, the May 2025 rule update, the two-hour display on May 20, and prior El Capitan banners—are drawn from Associated Press/CBS reporting, Yosemite’s policy pages, and climbing/outdoors publications that track compendium changes and past protests.
