Outrage Builds Over Pride Flag Removal At Stonewall Monument

The National Park Service removed an LGBTQ pride flag from the historic Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The National Park Service recently removed an LGBTQ pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan due to a policy change enacted by the Trump administration. The move has sparked outrage from local officials who say it erases the history and legacy of the LGBTQ rights movement that began at the Stonewall Inn.

Why it matters

The Stonewall Inn is considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement after a police raid there in 1969 sparked demonstrations and riots. Removing the pride flag from the national monument site is seen as an attempt to erase this important history and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ equality.

The details

The flag's removal follows a January 21 memo issued by the acting director of the National Park Service, which states that only the U.S. flag, the Department of the Interior flag or the POW/MIA flag can be flown on public sites operated by the NPS. Earlier this month, the NPS also removed references to the Trans community at Stonewall and changed the abbreviation LGBTQ to LGB on the park's website.

  • The pride flag was removed from the Stonewall National Monument over the weekend.
  • On January 21, the acting director of the National Park Service issued a memo restricting the flags that can be flown on NPS sites.

The players

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

The Manhattan Borough President, who is the first openly LGBTQ person to hold that office in city history.

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City, who said he is 'outraged' at the flag's removal.

Julie Menin

The New York City Council Speaker, who co-signed a letter condemning the flag's removal.

Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez

The co-chairs of the New York City Council's LGBTQIA+ caucus, who co-signed a letter condemning the flag's removal.

Jessica Bowdon

The acting director of the National Park Service, who issued the memo restricting the flags that can be flown on NPS sites.

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What they’re saying

“They cannot erase our history. Our Pride flag will be raised again. Stay tuned.”

— Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Borough President (nymag.com)

“New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history. Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it. I will always fight for a New York City that invests in our LGBTQ+ community, defends their dignity, and protects every one of our neighbors—without exception.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (nymag.com)

“The removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument sends a deeply troubling message, one that shows the world that we are willing to sanitize and erase our history and the very values that make America great. We urge you to return the Pride flag to its rightful place at the Stonewall National Monument where it belongs.”

— Julie Menin, Chi Ossé, and Justin Sanchez, New York City Council Speaker and Co-Chairs of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus (nymag.com)

What’s next

The lawmakers have urged the National Park Service to return the pride flag to the Stonewall National Monument.

The takeaway

The removal of the pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument is seen as an attempt to erase the history and legacy of the LGBTQ rights movement that began at the Stonewall Inn. Local officials have strongly condemned the move and are demanding that the flag be restored to its rightful place at this historic site.