TL;DR
- A judge dismissed Shannon Joslin’s lawsuit against Yosemite.
- Joslin was fired for hanging a trans pride flag.
- The ruling directs them to civil service processes.
- Yosemite has new rules on flag displays.
- Joslin argues their firing was unjust.
In a turn of events that has left many shaking their heads, a US judge has tossed out the lawsuit of former Yosemite National Park ranger Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who was fired after hanging a massive trans pride flag on El Capitan. The ruling, handed down by US District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston, was based on procedural grounds, leaving Joslin to navigate the civil service process before taking any further legal action.
Joslin, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, was let go from their position in August 2025, shortly after they participated in a flag display that was meant to send a powerful message: “We’re all safe in national parks.” The flag, a stunning 66 feet wide, flew proudly for about two hours before Joslin voluntarily took it down. However, the park’s management was not impressed, claiming that Joslin had engaged in “unacceptable conduct” by circumventing park rules regarding demonstrations.
According to court documents, the termination letter cited Joslin’s involvement in the flag incident as a violation of park regulations, stating they had participated in a demonstration without the necessary permits. Yosemite has designated areas where protests can occur, but it seems that Joslin’s actions fell outside those boundaries. The day after the flag display, Yosemite quickly implemented a new rule banning any banners, flags, or signs larger than 15 square feet in designated wilderness areas, effectively covering a whopping 94% of the park. Talk about a swift reaction!
In a statement following their firing, Joslin expressed their frustration on Instagram, asserting, “I hung the flag in my free time, off-duty, as a private citizen. It flew for a total of two hours in the morning and then I took it down. El Capitan has had flags hung on it for decades and no one has EVER been punished for it.” They went on to demand their rights back, saying, “I want my rights and I want my career back.”
Joslin’s lawsuit claimed that their termination was motivated by the park’s disagreement with their off-duty speech supporting the trans community. This case is not just about a flag; it’s about the broader implications of free speech and the rights of LGBTQ individuals in the workplace. The cultural impact of the trans pride flag has reached far beyond the park, even inspiring drag queen Pattie Gonia to turn the flag into a stunning red carpet look.
As the legal saga continues, Joslin has already filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), which is expected to make a determination by August. For now, the fight for justice continues, and the eyes of the LGBTQ community are watching closely. Will Joslin’s case pave the way for greater protections for LGBTQ rights in the workplace? Only time will tell.
For more on this developing story, check out our previous coverage on the judge’s decision regarding the ranger’s trans flag case.
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