El Capitan Flag Protest Leads to Termination and Lawsuit
In an event last year, a wildlife biologist apprentice at Yosemite National Park, identifying as nonbinary, displayed a massive trans activist flag on El Capitan to protest the gender policies of the Trump administration.
Shannon Jocelyn, from El Portal, California, faced the repercussions of her actions which resulted in her dismissal.
The park stated, “Unauthorized demonstrations outside of First Amendment designated areas detract from the visitor experience.”
On a recent Monday, Jocelyn filed a lawsuit demanding her job back, claiming her First Amendment right to free speech was violated by the Interior Department.
Details of the Protest
On May 20, 2025, Jocelyn and a group of climbers installed a 55-foot by 35-foot trans activist flag a third of the way up El Capitan, leaving it to fly for hours.
According to her complaint, the decision to place the flag was intended as support for transgender individuals and involved coordination with fellow activists to ensure the flag was secured to the rock face.
In a press release, Jocelyn highlighted that her team comprised “social workers, civil servants, parents, neighbors.”
She mentioned to Climbing.com, “Calling your congressman or writing your representative feels like shouting into the air. We have a microphone called El Cap.”
Win Riley, a drag queen known as Patti Gonia, participated in the protest, asserting that the Trump administration wants to paint being transgender as something unnatural.
Riley commented that their actions were both a protest and a celebration, emphasizing the liberation they felt during the event.
Jocelyn maintained that throughout the flag’s preparation, installation, and display, she was off-duty.
Consequences of the Action
In late July, Jocelyn was notified of her termination, effective August 12, 2025. The letter explained that she was on probation and had failed to demonstrate acceptable conduct.
The notice cited her involvement in an unauthorized demonstration outside designated protest areas, violating regulations intended for all park visitors.
The Interior Department and National Park Service declined to comment on the personnel actions but remarked on their commitment to safeguarding park resources and visitor experiences, stressing that unauthorized demonstrations compromise both.
Legal Proceedings
Jocelyn’s lawsuit expresses discontent with the administration’s rejection of gender-affirming policies, claiming her termination caused various personal and financial hardships. She argues it violates her right to free speech, particularly targeting specific forms of expression.
The suit names multiple defendants, including the National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, alleging improper use of information regarding Jocelyn’s protests against her.
Beyond reinstating her position, Jocelyn is seeking damages and a ruling that the handling of her private information regarding First Amendment activities was unlawful.
One of Jocelyn’s attorneys suggested that if she had displayed a flag aligned with the administration’s views, her employment status would likely be different.
Yosemite National Park, known for its breathtaking natural beauty, has regulations restricting the display of large banners or flags over significant natural features, underscoring their commitment to maintaining a respectful visitor experience.
