Transgender Activists Fly Pride Flag at Yosemite
On Tuesday, a group of transgender activists raised a large transgender pride flag at Rock Formation El Pitan in Yosemite National Park, California. The flag, measuring 55 feet by 35 feet, is noted to be the largest one displayed among the park’s iconic rock formations. This initiative, dubbed “Trans Is Natural,” was intended as an “act of solidarity” led by a mix of “trans, queer, and ally climbers.”
A self-published video featuring an individual known as Patty Gonia, described as an “Environmentalist & Drug Artist,” depicts climbers as they stretch the pride flag across the rock formations.
New: Transgender activists have announced a massive trans flag at Yosemite National Park to teach President Trump lessons. I want the world to know that Queers and transgender people are “natural.” The flag was hung 1500 feet above the rock and hanging…
– Collin Rugg
In the video, Gonia expresses, “Some people carry hatred. We held the biggest trans pride flag ever flown in a national park and spread it on the side of El Cap to prove the point,” while donning a park ranger-themed costume that includes the word “gay” on the name tag. The purpose behind the demonstration was articulated as showing that “trans is natural.”
Gonia criticized the Trump administration, remarking that it aims to convey a message that being transgender is unnatural, pointing out that various species allow for sex transition. “They try to erase us from government websites, education systems, and libraries,” Gonia stated, referring to recent cultural and political shifts regarding transgender issues. For instance, the Human Resources Administration’s order to federal employees to remove pronouns from email signatures earlier this year was mentioned.
“You can call it a protest or a celebration. It’s about promoting liberation,” Gonia declared. The press release characterized the event as a “trans celebration, in nature, in community, and everywhere.”
However, around 11:30 AM PST, Yosemite Park officials instructed the activists to take down the Trans Pride flag from El Capitan, citing concerns for the team’s safety, even though they indicated that no rules had been breached during the flag’s display.
