Yosemite National Park ranger fired after protest against Donald Trump’s transgender sports ban

Yosemite National Park has fired a non-binary park ranger for ‘practising’ a First Amendment right.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin, 35, was first hired 4.5 years ago as a Wildlife Biologist at the park, which she explained was their dream job.
“Preservation has been my life’s work — of Yosemite, the wildlife, the land, recreation, of people’s rights and safety, of community and acceptance, and now the Constitutional First Amendment.”
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.SJ claimed that the temporary deputy superintendent fired them on August 12 for “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” within their capacity as a wildlife biologist for the park.
This motion comes after SJ was caught hanging a transgender pride flag from the park’s famous El Capitan rock formation in May.

The ranger, who had recently been promoted to a permanent park position, said the flag flew for two hours before being removed. They argue that flags have been displayed on the iconic granite face for decades without disciplinary action — until now.
The dismissed ranger said the idea to hang the flag was sparked in the spring, following President Donald Trump’s executive order that prohibited transgender women from participating in women’s sports, News.com.au reported.
“I want my rights and I want my career back,” SJ wrote on Instagram.
SJ noted that they hung the flag in their “free time, off-duty, as a private citizen”.
“NOTHING about it had anything to do with my work,” they fumed.
The dismissal has sparked outrage among colleagues and supporters within Yosemite’s close-knit community.
During that time, they say they have dedicated countless hours to the park, from shovelling snow off bridges so visitors in wheelchairs could access them, to serving as a red-carded wildland firefighter, swift water rescue technician, search and rescue responder, and wilderness first responder.

“I have represented the park at conferences and events across the country. No one, in any of my roles, has EVER had negative comments about my conduct,” they said.
The ranger is now calling on the public to help amplify their story, arguing that their firing represents not only a personal injustice but a broader issue of free speech.
“So help me. Use your First Amendment right to broadcast my story as loudly and as widely as possible. Any connections to news outlets or any amplification is so appreciated.
The day after, the NPS issued a new rule banning the hanging of large flags in wilderness areas, according to news.com.au.
Then, a week later, SJ told the outlet that a criminal investigation into the flag’s display was launched. Their firing came at the end of the three-month investigation.

SJ asserted that they — and two other NPS employees under investigation for helping hang the flag — are the only people to ever be punished for draping a flag on El Capitan.
A spokesperson for the NPS added that it is currently taking administrative actions against several employees and even “possible criminal charges against several park visitors who are alleged to have violated federal laws and regulations related to demonstrations” in tandem with the Justice Department.
The spokesperson did not elaborate on what regulations the employees allegedly violated.