Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a longtime Yosemite ranger, is at the center of a free speech battle after allegedly being dismissed from the National Park Service earlier this month. The claimed firing followed a May 20 action in which Joslin, while off duty, helped hoist a transgender pride flag across the face of El Capitan.
At the time, the move did not violate Yosemite’s regulations. The park allegedly updated its Superintendent’s Compendium the next day to ban large flags in wilderness areas, and backdated the change to suggest the rule had always been in place.
A Long Tradition of Flags on El Capitan
Climbers have used El Capitan’s sheer granite walls to make bold statements for decades. Pirate flags, climate change banners, and political messages have all appeared on the iconic rock face. Just last year, activists unfurled a “Stop the Genocide” sign, and an upside-down American flag was displayed during February’s Firefall. None of those incidents led to firings.
For Joslin, the difference is personal. “My firing isn’t just about one ranger,” they said. “This kind of targeting threatens the rights of civil servants, and by extension, all Americans, to speak freely.”
From Model Employee to Targeted Ranger
Joslin was not an outsider at Yosemite. They led the Big Wall Bats program, contributed wildlife research, guided climbers, and wrote popular climbing guidebooks. Their reviews were glowing. Colleagues describe them as a cornerstone of Yosemite’s community, not a rulebreaker.
Advocates argue that removing Joslin contradicts both federal anti-discrimination protections and the First Amendment. Critics also point to President Donald Trump’s own executive order issued earlier this year, which specifically bars federal agencies from curbing free expression.
Community Outrage and Calls for Action
The decision has galvanized Yosemite’s climbing and LGBTQ+ communities. Environmentalist and drag activist Pattie Gonia condemned the alleged firing, calling it “a direct violation of their constitutional First Amendment right” and “an attack on the very values of service, dedication, and community that SJ embodies.”
Supporters are now demanding Joslin’s reinstatement, an independent probe into Yosemite’s leadership, and a review of employment practices at the National Park Service. They have encouraged the public to contact Yosemite’s superintendent’s office and new leadership team, which only assumed roles in May, to reverse the decision.
What’s at Stake
Beyond one ranger’s career, the controversy raises broader questions about government overreach and selective enforcement. “Flying the trans flag signified acceptance and safety within the park,” Joslin said. “If this administration starts telling park rangers we are not allowed the constitutional right of free speech as private civilians, what is to stop them from taking it from you next?”
Whether Joslin gets their job back or not, their stand on El Capitan has become more than a symbolic act, it has become a flashpoint in the ongoing fight for visibility and equity.
