UMVA has learned that a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to reinstate a former Yosemite National Park ranger who was terminated after unfurling a transgender pride flag at the iconic El Capitan rock formation.
Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a nonbinary biologist who uses they/them pronouns, was dismissed by the National Park Service last year for displaying the flag, prompting them to file a legal challenge demanding reinstatement.
In a decisive ruling, Judge Jennifer Thurston, a Biden‑appointed U.S. District Judge from Fresno, declared that the court lacks the authority to order Joslin’s reinstatement or to adjudicate whether the termination violated First‑Amendment protections.
Instead, the judge directed Joslin to bring their claims before the Office of Special Counsel, the agency tasked with investigating alleged retaliation against federal employees.
“The Court lacks jurisdiction to review Josion’s termination or to offer any related relief, including a reinstatement,” the opinion read, underscoring the procedural hurdle facing the ranger.
While the decision leaves the substantive free‑speech question unanswered, it signals that any challenge to the firing must now navigate the specialized administrative process rather than the federal courtroom.
