Rainbow Flag Taken Down at Stonewall Monument

The rainbow flag has been removed from the Stonewall National Monument in New York. The National Park Service said it was following new rules for flags. Many people feel this is a sad move that disrespects LGBTQ+ history.
By Newsroom | LGBTQ+ Rights, New York |

A recent decision by the Trump administration to remove a rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument has triggered significant backlash from LGBTQ+ activists and elected officials. The removal of this widely recognized symbol of LGBTQ+ rights from the nation's first national monument honoring LGBTQ+ history is viewed by many as a deliberate affront. This action, coupled with the recent alteration of the monument's website to remove references to transgender people, has amplified concerns about the administration's stance on LGBTQ+ recognition and historical representation.

Context of the Removal

The Stonewall National Monument, established in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The rainbow flag, a prominent emblem of LGBTQ+ pride and identity, had been flown at the monument. Its removal occurred recently, without prior notice to key stakeholders like the owners of the Stonewall Inn. This action coincides with the federal government issuing new guidance on flag policies for national parks.

Read More: Ralph Lauren Shows Classic Style at New York Fashion Week

  • Timeline: The flag was removed in the days leading up to February 12th.

  • Location: A flagpole within the National Park Service-run Stonewall National Monument.

  • Key Actors: The Trump administration, the National Park Service, LGBTQ+ activists, elected officials.

Official Stance and Activist Reactions

The National Park Service, acting under the current administration, has stated that the removal is a consequence of adhering to recent guidance that clarifies and consistently applies longstanding flag policies. However, this explanation has not appeased critics.

Trump administration takes down a rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument - 1

"The National Park Service is simply complying with recent guidance that clarifies longstanding flag policies and applies them consistently."— National Park Service (as reported by AP)

Activists and community leaders have expressed deep disapproval, viewing the removal as an attempt to erase LGBTQ+ history and rights.

  • Activists' View: The removal is seen as a "symbolic swipe" and a "deliberate slight" against the LGBTQ+ community and its history.

  • Website Changes: Concurrent with the flag's removal, verbal references to transgender people were removed from the Stonewall National Monument's park service website.

  • Lack of Notice: Some individuals, such as Stacy Lentz, a co-owner of the Stonewall Inn, stated they received no prior notification of the flag's removal.

Flag Policies and Precedent

The administration's justification for the flag's removal hinges on new guidance regarding flag policies at national parks. This guidance appears to restrict the types of flags that can be flown.

Read More: New Video Shows Empty Hallway Near Epstein's Cell

  • Clarification of Policies: The NPS claims it is enforcing existing policies consistently.

  • Past Practices: The rainbow flag had been flown at the monument since the uprising's anniversary. Prior to this removal, activists had noted the park service maintaining a "bureaucratic distance" from the flag-raising ceremonies during Trump's first administration.

  • Symbolic Significance: The rainbow flag is described as a "globally recognized emblem of LGBTQ+ rights" and represents "history, resistance, and Pride born at Stonewall itself."

Broader Context of LGBTQ+ Issues

The removal of the rainbow flag and the website alterations occur against a backdrop of increased legislative and policy actions impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Reports indicate a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ bills and specific policy changes targeting the transgender community during the Trump administration.

Trump administration takes down a rainbow flag at the Stonewall National Monument - 2

  • Executive Orders: Mention of an executive order declaring only two unchangeable sexes has been linked to previous actions affecting the monument's webpage.

  • National Trends: The events at Stonewall National Monument are contextualized within a broader landscape of hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills advancing nationwide in 2026.

Efforts to Reclaim the Symbol

In response to the flag's removal, efforts are underway to re-establish its presence at the monument.

Read More: Bridge Work Delays Cause Worry in Two Towns

  • Intention to Re-raise: Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal announced his intention to raise the pride flag again at the Stonewall National Monument.

  • Community Defiance: Statements like, "Our Pride flag will be raised again. Our history will not be erased, and our Pride is not theirs to take down," signal a determined resistance.

Expert Analysis and Interpretations

While the administration cites policy adherence, observers interpret the actions through the lens of broader political and social dynamics.

"We cannot allow the government to erase a historical fact."— Stacy Lentz, co-owner of the Stonewall Inn

The concurrent removal of transgender references from the park's website suggests a pattern of actions that could be perceived as diminishing the visibility and recognition of specific groups within the LGBTQ+ community.

Conclusion and Implications

The removal of the rainbow flag from the Stonewall National Monument represents a significant point of contention. The National Park Service's stated adherence to flag policy guidance offers one explanation, yet the timing and the accompanying website changes have led many to view the action as politically motivated and dismissive of LGBTQ+ history.

  • Core Finding: The rainbow flag has been removed from the Stonewall National Monument by the Trump administration.

  • Official Rationale: Compliance with updated flag policy guidance.

  • Criticism: Activists and officials decry the action as an erasure of LGBTQ+ history and rights.

  • Implications: The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding LGBTQ+ representation and historical acknowledgment within federal sites. Future actions by community members aim to reinstate the flag, suggesting a continuing dialogue and potential conflict.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the rainbow flag removed?
The National Park Service said they are following new rules for flags at national parks.
Q: Who is unhappy about this?
LGBTQ+ activists and some leaders are unhappy. They say it disrespects LGBTQ+ history.
Q: What is the Stonewall National Monument?
It is a place that honors the history of LGBTQ+ people and the fight for their rights.
Q: Will the flag be put back up?
Some leaders plan to try and raise the pride flag again at the monument.