Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
12h ago

Transgender Pride Flag Displayed on El Capitan in Yosemite Protest

Climbers unfurled a massive 55×35-foot flag to challenge federal policies targeting transgender communities before park officials ordered its removal.

A group of trans, queer and ally climbers unfurled a massive transgender Pride flag on the face of Yosemite National Park's iconic El Capitan rock formation.
A group of transgender, queer, and allied climbers unfurled a trans Pride flag on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Pattie Gonia attends the Out100 Event 2024 at NeueHouse Hollywood on Dec. 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
An upside down American flag was hung from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on Feb. 22, 2025, in protest of job cuts to federal public lands workers.

Overview

  • A coalition of transgender, queer, and ally climbers called Trans Is Natural displayed a 55×35-foot transgender pride flag on El Capitan's Heart Ledges in Yosemite National Park on May 20, 2025.
  • The flag, the largest ever displayed on El Capitan, was hung 1,500 feet up the granite face and remained visible from 8 a.m. to noon before park officials directed its removal.
  • Organizers described the act as one of visibility and resistance, protesting the Trump administration's removal of transgender references and rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • The demonstration is part of ongoing activism in Yosemite, following a February protest where park staff hung an upside-down U.S. flag on El Capitan to oppose National Park Service job cuts.
  • Lead organizer Pattie Gonia emphasized the message of solidarity, stating, 'Let this flag fly higher than hate,' and calling for the elevation of marginalized voices.