- The ban was issued by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in early May.
- It sparked angry protests and an outcry from the LGBTQ community.
- Deb Haaland revoked the directive on Friday with ‘immediate’ effect
The National Park Service is reversing a planned ban on rangers attending Pride festivals in uniform after fierce backlash.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland issued a directive earlier this month prohibiting rangers from openly participating in Pride month events in June.
But on Friday he reversed the decision following widespread condemnation from prominent gay rights advocates, including outspoken drag queen Pattie Gonia.
The initial memo issuing the ban said that “requests from employees asking to participate in uniform in a variety of events and activities, including events not organized by official NPS policy, violated official policy.”
Drag queen Pattie Gonia (pictured) led protests against National Park Service Pride ban
Environmentalist and gay rights activist Pattie Gonia led protests against the measure on social media and in national parks.
“National Park Service, this is not what an alliance looks like,” the drag queen wrote in an Instagram post.
They said “brave Queer park service employees” had been fighting the ban “from within” for a month before it took action.
“Pride this year is really a protest,” added Pattie Gonia, sharing a photo of a demonstration involving dozens of people waving Pride flags gathered in a national park.
After the ban was lifted, the activist congratulated “gay park service employees for everything they’ve done” to get the ban repealed.
Pictured: A park ranger places rainbow flags at Stonewall National Monument, the first national LGBTQ monument, dedicated to the birthplace of the modern lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights movement on June 4, 2019 in La New York City.
The National Park Service is reversing a controversial ban on rangers attending Pride festivals in uniform after facing fierce backlash from LGBTQ activists and employees.
Environmentalist and gay rights activist Pattie Gonia led protests against the measure on social media and in national parks.
“We thank the National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland for listening to their employees and the general public,” they added.
“This is proof that when queer people fight, we win,” Pattie Gonia added. “This is proof that it’s never too late to do the right thing.”
Haaland walked back the decision Friday in an email to employees obtained by the Advocate.
‘I want to ensure that every employee has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, inclusive and respectful environment.
‘One way we support and celebrate who we are at the Department is through programs organized around Special Emphasis Months, which have been identified by Presidential Proclamation, Executive Orders and public laws to ensure that federal agencies take action affirmative to provide equal opportunities. in all areas of employment,” he added.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (pictured) issued a directive earlier this month banning rangers from openly participating in Pride month events in June, but revoked it on Friday.
‘In addition to events and activities organized by the Department and/or individual offices and offices, there are sometimes externally organized events and activities that promote the same objectives as those of the Special Emphasis Months.’
Special emphasis programs include events celebrating Native American cultures, Black employment, disabled veterans, Women’s Equality Day, and LGBTQ Pride.
Haaland clarified that the reversal allowed “units marching in parades, positions in parades, events, etc.”
“This would allow employees to participate in uniform representing their respective office,” he added. “This order takes effect immediately.”