A significant event took place at New York City’s Stonewall National Monument on February 9, as a large Pride flag was quietly removed following a directive from the Trump administration. This move has sparked concerns and outrage among the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The Stonewall National Monument holds historical significance as it commemorates the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn, which played a pivotal role in the gay rights movement in the United States.
The National Park Service (NPS), responsible for overseeing the landmark, confirmed that the flag was taken down in compliance with a new government order issued in January. According to the guidance, only the US flag and other authorized flags are permitted to be flown on NPS-managed flagpoles, with limited exceptions.
This removal comes almost a year after the NPS faced backlash for scrubbing references to transgender and queer individuals from its website for the Stonewall monument. The decision to remove the traditional six-color Pride flag, a universally recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ rights, has been viewed as a troubling escalation by many.
Individuals like photographer Steven Love Menendez and LGBTQ+ advocate Michael Petrelis had fought for years to have a permanent Pride flag displayed at the park. They finally secured approval for the installation in 2022, during the Biden administration, after facing opposition during Trump’s first term.
President Trump’s actions targeting LGBTQ+ rights, particularly trans and non-binary individuals, have been a cause for concern. His executive order defining gender as a male-female binary and other measures have raised alarms within the community. Despite these challenges, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal has vowed to push back against the directive and ensure that the Pride flag will once again fly at the Stonewall National Monument.
The removal of the Pride flag has elicited strong reactions from visitors at the park, with many expressing disappointment and anger. Individuals like Mimi from New York have condemned the decision as “disgusting,” “shameful,” and “homophobic,” emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring LGBTQ+ individuals.
As the community continues to advocate for equality and acceptance, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights remains ongoing. The presence of the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument serves as a symbol of resilience and unity, and efforts to reinstate it are underway.
