In a move that’s sparking outrage, the Trump administration recently removed a large Rainbow Flag from a flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument. Now, Steven Love Menendez, a caretaker of Rainbow Flags in the park, is stepping up to call out the National Park Service (NPS) for its actions, which he believes reflect a disturbing double standard. On February 9, the NPS confirmed to Gay City News that limited exceptions can be made for certain flags—just apparently not the Rainbow Flag.
RELATED: Controversy Erupts Over National Park Service’s Erasure of Transgender
Raising of the Progress Flag for Pride Month (image from nps.gov)
(Left to Right) Artist Miss Simone, NPS Superintendent Shirley McKinney, and LGB activist Steven Love Menendez raise the Progress flag at Christopher Park. The ceremony also included a land acknowledgement from Janis Stacey (a member of the Two Spirit community), a performance by Broadway star Lillias White, and speeches from LGB activists Ann Northrop and Michael Petrelis.
Photo by Donna Aceto
Menendez’s Sharp Critique: Where’s the ‘Limited Exception’ for Pride?
Menendez didn’t mince words, questioning the NPS’s refusal to extend the “limited exception” status to the Rainbow Flag: “I wonder why the flag is not a ‘limited exception,’” he remarked. And honestly, it’s hard not to agree. If other flags can be celebrated as exceptions, why is the one that represents LGBTQ+ pride left behind?
History Gets a Rewrite: The Fight for True Representation
But the controversy doesn’t stop with the this. Menendez also called out the NPS for its treatment of the Stonewall National Monument, particularly how the administration has altered the site’s history by downplaying the contributions of transgender and bisexual people.
“I think all of their actions are going to backfire,” Menendez warned. And given the backlash, it’s hard to argue with him. History isn’t just about who gets to be in the spotlight; it’s about acknowledging everyone who fought, bled, and loved in the name of equality. Erasing or censoring parts of that history isn’t just a mistake—it’s an affront to the very essence of what the Stonewall Monument stands for.
The Flag that Won’t Back Down
Menendez’s fiery words have the community buzzing, and it’s clear the NPS may have just made a monumental misstep. Here’s why his comments are making headlines—and why this battle over the Rainbow Flag is far from over.
The Rainbow Flag is more than just fabric; it’s a symbol of love, resistance, and a movement that has endured generations of struggle. As Menendez pointed out, this isn’t about a piece of cloth—it’s about the respect we deserve as a community. If the NPS thinks it can erase our history or dismiss our symbols, they might want to think again. Because we are not going anywhere—and neither is the fight to make sure our voices are heard.
What can we expect otherwise. According to Trump‘s late wife Ivana, or whatever her name was, the only book he had by his bedside was the collected speeches of Adolf Hitler. And like Hitler Trump says exactly what he plans to do and here you see it. America, at last, bathed in its true colors.
Put it back and F_ck Trump.
Seriously, this is freakin’ New York City. NPS can take it down, the community can put it back up. I’ll happily donate to a go fund me to purchase more flags.
I’m so tired of the administration doing sh*t, even when they are told not to by public opinion or especially by a court or judge…..and they do it ANYWAY with no accountability….. Therefore, the NPS should just ignore tRump’s order and leave the flag up where it belongs & continues to honor LGBTQ history.
It’s not like it’s a protected site. I say hang it again or another Rainbow Flag.
Following the example of fascists before them, Trump and MAGA are trying it on one inexorable step at a time, and when there is minimal reaction or resistance, they go a step further, until suddenly, you’re in the middle of a dictatorship you cannot escape from.
Amazingly evil administration! They don’t just hate minorities, they want to also erase their history! You can send a thank you letter to Peter Thiel, Scott Bessent, and Richard Grendel!