Judge dismisses lawsuit of former Yosemite ranger over flag

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former Yosemite National Park ranger who was fired after displaying a large transgender pride flag on the park's iconic El Capitan rock formation. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston ruled on Friday, June -12, 2026, that the court lacks jurisdiction to review the termination of Shannon "SJ" Joslin, a nonbinary biologist.

The judge found that Joslin, who was a probationary employee at the time of their firing in August 2025, must follow the process outlined by the Civil Service Reform Act. This requires them to file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, a step they have already taken. That office previously denied Joslin's initial request to halt the termination while it investigates whether the National Park Service acted unlawfully. A final decision from the Office of Special Counsel is anticipated in August.

Joslin stated they assisted in hanging a 66-foot-wide transgender pride flag on El Capitan for approximately two hours on May 20, 2025, before voluntarily removing it. The action took place on Joslin's day off. They have said the display was intended to convey that "we're all safe in national parks."