NEW YORK (AP) — In a historic decision, the Trump administration has agreed to retain the rainbow Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, marking a significant reversal after its earlier removal in February.
This decision follows a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ and historic preservation organizations, challenging the flag’s removal. An agreement is now awaiting judicial approval, indicating the government's intent to uphold the Pride flag at the site, pending “maintenance or other practical purposes.”
According to court documents, the National Park Service is expected to install three flags on the Stonewall monument flagpole — the Pride flag will now be displayed between the U.S. flag and the Park Service flag.
The Pride flag's reinstatement follows a years-long campaign by activists urging for its continuous visibility, which had seen it formally installed in 2022 during President Joe Biden's administration.
Previously, the park service characterized the Pride flag as part of its dedication to illustrating the complex histories of diverse American communities. However, its removal earlier this year was justified as compliance with federal guidelines that limit flag displays to specific flags, introducing backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates who viewed the decision as an affront to their community's history.
After the flag's removal, advocates, including Democratic elected officials from New York, responded quickly by raising another Pride flag in protest. The Stonewall monument, designated by former President Barack Obama in 2016, commemorates the events at the Stonewall Inn during the 1969 police raid that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Under the recent agreement, the Park Service will now institutionalize the presence of the Pride flag at this notable site, reinforcing a commitment to acknowledge and celebrate the turbulent yet triumphant history of the LGBTQ+ community.
