National Park Service reverses ban on rangers attending Pride festivals in uniform after LGBTQ backlash led by drag queen

The National Park Service is reversing a planned ban on rangers attending Pride festivals in uniform after fierce backlash. 

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued a directive earlier this month prohibiting rangers from openly participating in Pride month events this June. 

It sparked mutiny among the LGTBQ community and triggered a wave of backlash. 

On Friday, cowing to the criticism, Haaland reversed the decision.  

But on Friday she reversed the decision  following widespread condemnation by prominent gay rights campaigners including outspoken drag queen Pattie Gonia. 

The initial memo issuing the ban said 'requests from employees asking to participate in uniform in a variety of events and activities, including events not organized by the NPS' breached official policy. 

Environmentalist and gay rights activist Pattie Gonia spearheaded protests against the move on social media and in national parks. 

'National Park Service, this is not what allyship looks like,' the drag queen wrote in an Instagram post. 

They said 'brave Queer park service employees' had been fighting the ban 'on the inside' for a month before it came into action. 

'This year Pride really is a protest,' Pattie Gonia added, sharing a photograph of a demonstration involving dozens of people waving Pride flags gathered in a national park. 

After the ban was lifted, the activist congratulated 'queer park service employees on the great lengths they have gone to' to secure the reversal.  

'We thank the National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland for listening to their employees as well as the general public,' they added.

'This is proof that when queer people fight we win,' Pattie Gonia added. 'This is proof that it is never too late to do the right thing.'

Haaland rowed back on the decision on 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 in which 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 law to ensure that federal agencies take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment,' she added. 

'In addition to events and activities organized by the Department and/or individual bureaus and offices, sometimes there are externally organized events and activities that further the same goals as those in the Special Emphasis Months.' 

Special Emphasis Programs include events to celebrate Native American cultures, black employment, disabled veterans, women's equality day and LGBTQ Pride. 

Haaland clarified that the reversal allowed for 'marching units in parades, booths at parades, events, etc.'

'This would allow employees to participate in uniform representing their respective bureau,' she added. 'This direction takes effect immediately.'