Rainbow Flag Defiantly Raised Again at Stonewall National Monument

The Pride flag continues to fly after activists and officials reinstalled it following the Trump administration's removal.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Rainbow Flag was reinstalled at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City after the Trump administration had it removed. Activists and elected officials held a defiant ceremony to raise the flag again, drawing cheers from a large crowd. The flag continued to fly the next day as visitors reflected on the controversy surrounding its removal and return.

Why it matters

The Stonewall National Monument commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. The removal of the Rainbow Flag was seen as an attack on LGBTQ visibility and representation at this historic site, prompting a swift and passionate response from the community.

The details

On February 9th, the Trump administration ordered the removal of the Rainbow Flag from the Stonewall National Monument flagpole, replacing it with only the American flag. This sparked outrage from LGBTQ activists and allies, who organized a defiant ceremony on February 12th to raise the Pride flag again in front of a large, cheering crowd. The next day, the Rainbow Flag continued to fly at the monument, as visitors expressed their support for its return and criticized the administration's actions.

  • The Rainbow Flag was removed from the Stonewall National Monument on February 9, 2026.
  • Activists and officials held a ceremony to reinstall the Rainbow Flag on February 12, 2026.
  • The Rainbow Flag continued to fly at the monument on February 13, 2026.

The players

Stonewall National Monument

A national monument in New York City that commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement.

Trump administration

The federal government under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, which ordered the removal of the Rainbow Flag from the Stonewall National Monument.

LGBTQ activists and allies

Members of the LGBTQ community and their supporters who organized the defiant ceremony to reinstall the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument.

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What they’re saying

“I found it interesting — they did not take down the American Flag, which was there to replace the Pride Flag. I'd rather see a Pride Flag than the American Flag, but if it's a Pride Flag and American Flag, it's fine by me, as long as the Pride Flag is there.”

— Gabriel Engel, Brooklyn resident (Gay City News)

“The trans community, the gay community, the straight, bi, whatever you are — you should be heard. All I've got to say, is f--k Trump, because we've all got to stand together.”

— Malik, Visitor (Gay City News)

“It's very painful, especially for people who struggled to have their equal rights — not only LGBTQ people, but people all over this country having a similar experience of trying to be erased. We all have to fight, not just the LGBTQ community; I think the whole country is feeling that certain communities and people just feel vulnerable, and the LGBTQ community has always felt vulnerable. But we're a lot stronger now, and we're back. Here it is, and we'll see how long that lasts before they come again and take it down. But when they do, we'll put it up again.”

— Linda, Visitor (Gay City News)

What’s next

The Trump administration has not indicated whether it will attempt to remove the Rainbow Flag again from the Stonewall National Monument, but activists have vowed to continue defending its presence at the historic site.

The takeaway

The defiant reinstallation of the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument underscores the LGBTQ community's resilience and determination to maintain visibility and representation at this important landmark, even in the face of political opposition. The controversy has also galvanized broader support for LGBTQ rights and highlighted the ongoing struggle for equality and inclusion.