The National Park Service has fired a California ranger who draped a massive transgender pride flag across Yosemite’s iconic El Capitan rock formation earlier this year.
The National Park ranger was identified as Shannon “SJ” Joslin, 35, a wildlife biologist who “identifies” as “non-binary” and uses “they/them” pronouns.
She announced on Instagram Monday that the park dismissed her “for practicing my First Amendment right.”
Joslin admitted to raising the 55-foot by 35-foot flag in May but insisted the action was done while off duty as a private citizen.
“I was fired by the temporary Deputy Superintendent for ‘failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct’ in my capacity as a Wildlife Biologist for the park,” Joslin wrote.
“No part of hanging the flag was done on work time.
“NOTHING about it had anything to do with my work.”
She said the flag flew for about two hours before being taken down and argued that “no one” had ever been punished for hanging banners across El Capitan before.
“I want my rights and I want my career back,” Joslin added.
A National Park Service (NPS) spokesperson confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is pursuing “administrative action” against Yosemite