Activists Fight to Keep Rainbow Flag at Stonewall National Monument

Community rallies to restore LGBTQ+ symbol after it was removed by the Trump administration.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Steven Love Menendez shares his personal story of advocating for the permanent installation of the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. After the flag was forcibly removed by the Trump administration, Menendez and other activists worked tirelessly to have it reinstalled, finally succeeding under the Biden administration in 2022. The flag has become a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and history at this sacred site.

Why it matters

The Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument represents the hard-fought journey of LGBTQ+ liberation and the ongoing fight for acceptance and equality. Its removal by the Trump administration was seen as an attack on LGBTQ+ identity and history, sparking a community-driven effort to restore this important symbol.

The details

Menendez first visited the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park as an 18-year-old in 1989, learning about the site's significance in the gay rights movement from his uncle. Years later, he became involved in the effort to have the Rainbow Flag permanently installed at the newly designated Stonewall National Monument. After the Trump administration blocked the initial flag-raising in 2017, Menendez worked with activist Michael Petrelis and National Park Service officials to temporarily raise the flag in 2018. Their persistence paid off, and a permanent flagpole and Rainbow Flag were installed in 2022 under the Biden administration.

  • In 1989, Menendez visited the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park for the first time.
  • In 2016, Menendez became involved in the effort to have the Rainbow Flag installed at the Stonewall National Monument.
  • On October 11, 2017, the initial flag-raising dedication was blocked by the Trump administration.
  • In June 2018, Menendez was granted a permit to install a temporary flagpole and Rainbow Flag inside the park.
  • On February 2, 2021, the Rainbow Flag began flying permanently at the Stonewall National Monument under the Biden administration.

The players

Steven Love Menendez

A LGBTQ+ activist who has been a driving force behind the permanent installation of the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument.

Michael Petrelis

An ACT UP activist who was instrumental in getting the Rainbow Flag installed at the Stonewall National Monument.

Shirley McKinney

The superintendent of the Stonewall National Monument who worked with Menendez and Petrelis to make the permanent Rainbow Flag installation a reality.

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What they’re saying

“It brought tears to my eyes when the Trump administration forcibly removed the Rainbow Flag from the Stonewall National Monument. It took many years of queer teamwork to get the Rainbow Flag permanently installed as a symbol to recognize the journey of our liberation that took place almost 60 years ago in this sacred space!”

— Steven Love Menendez (gaycitynews.com)

“Part of my service is to show my love for the movement by being a caretaker and steward of the flags for the park. I visit the park a few times a week, making sure everything looks great, and being a presence for many visitors.”

— Steven Love Menendez (gaycitynews.com)

What’s next

The National Park Service has committed to maintaining the permanent Rainbow Flag display at the Stonewall National Monument, ensuring it remains a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and history for years to come.

The takeaway

The fight to keep the Rainbow Flag flying at the Stonewall National Monument demonstrates the power of grassroots activism and the enduring importance of LGBTQ+ spaces and symbols. Despite setbacks, the community's unwavering commitment to preserving this sacred site and its representation of queer liberation has prevailed.