Judge tosses lawsuit from Yosemite ranger fired over trans flag display

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleU.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston ruled that Joslin, as a probationary employee, must adhere to the Civil Service Reform Act by pursuing their complaint through the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a process they have already initiated (AFP/Getty)A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Shannon "SJ" Joslin, a nonbinary former Yosemite National Park ranger, who was fired after displaying a transgender pride flag on El Capitan. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston ruled that Joslin, as a probationary employee, must adhere to the Civil Service Reform Act by pursuing their complaint through the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), a process they have already initiated. Joslin, a biologist, displayed the 66-foot flag on their day off in May 2025, stating it was meant to convey that national parks are safe for everyone, and voluntarily removed it after two hours. Their termination in August 2025 was attributed to "failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct" and to participating in a demonstration without a permit, which, Joslin's lawsuit argued, violated their free speech rights. Following the incident, Yosemite National Park implemented a new rule prohibiting banners larger than 15 square feet in 94% of the park, a regulation that also came after a February 2025 protest involving an upside-down American flag against the Trump administration. In fullYosemite trans flag dispute takes another turn in courtThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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