On May 20th, a group of transgender activists made a statement atop El Capitan in Yosemite National Park by unfurling numerous trans pride flags bearing the message “Trans is natural.” This event aimed to protest against President Trump’s policies perceived as anti-trans, particularly the removal of references to “trans” and “intersex” individuals from government websites.
The leader of the group, a man dubbed “Pattygonia,” who wore short shorts and dramatic makeup, shared a TikTok video showcasing their activities within the national park.
In a recent episode of “Relatable,” Ally Beth Stuckey responded to the video. She noted, “We have the biggest trans pride flag in a national park, draping it over El Capitan to emphasize our point. Some might argue that being trans is unnatural, but consider species that can transition genders—this happens across various plants and animals.”
Ally quickly countered this claim, simply stating, “Humans are not fish.” She elaborated by highlighting the point that Patty’s argument seemed more about avoiding accountability: “What he did there is make it about ‘I didn’t do it.’ It’s a concept called ‘transitionality.’”
She further explained the misconception surrounding gender and sex, clarifying that many falsely believe gender identity is merely an expression of one’s feelings while sex is a fixed biological characteristic. This, she argues, overlooks the fundamental truth that chromosomes and gametes cannot be changed.
“They simply can’t transition. While it may be true that some species can change genders, that doesn’t apply to humans,” Ally stated firmly. “Gender and sex are, by the way, distinct. I can’t subscribe to the notion that personal feelings somehow alter biological realities.” She labeled this belief as a “religious or philosophical idea that isn’t accurate.”
She added, “If something is truly natural and observable, there’s really no need to make such a grand declaration with flags in a national park.”
Interestingly, after the flags were displayed, park officials promptly ordered their removal, citing a rule against unauthorized displays in the park. Within just a couple of hours, visitors returned to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, untainted by any LGBTQ+ messaging.
For those interested in watching Pattygonia’s flag display and listening to Ally’s commentary, further footage is available in the episode linked above.
