Schumer Pushes to Make Pride Flag 'Congressionally Authorized Symbol'

Senate Minority Leader seeks federal legislation to protect LGBTQ symbol at national monuments

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced he will introduce federal legislation to make the Pride Flag a congressionally authorized symbol, which would provide similar protections as the U.S. flag, military flags, and the POW/MIA flag. This comes after the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City earlier this month.

Why it matters

The Stonewall Inn is considered sacred ground for the LGBTQ rights movement, and the removal of the Pride flag from the national monument sparked outrage from LGBTQ advocates and allies. Making the Pride Flag a congressionally authorized symbol would help prevent such removals in the future and further cement its significance in American civil rights history.

The details

Schumer criticized former President Donald Trump for 'attacking not just the LGBTQ community, but all of us who care about pride and equality in NYC' when the administration ordered the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument. The proposed legislation would 'enshrine the flag with similar protections as the U.S. flag, military flags, POW/MIA flags and others recognized by Congress'.

  • On June 28, 1969, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn provoked a spontaneous act of resistance that became a milestone for gay and lesbian civil rights.
  • Earlier this month, the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who announced he will introduce federal legislation to make the Pride Flag a congressionally authorized symbol.

Donald Trump

The former President whose administration ordered the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.

Tony Simone

A New York State Representative who Schumer said he is 'proud to stand with' in making this announcement.

Erik Bottcher

A New York State Senator who Schumer said he is 'proud to stand with' in making this announcement.

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What they’re saying

“The Stonewall Inn is sacred ground. Last week, Donald Trump attacked not just the LGBTQ community, but all of us who care about pride and equality in NYC when he ordered the removal of the pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (X)

What’s next

Schumer plans to introduce federal legislation to make the Pride Flag a congressionally authorized symbol, which would provide it with similar protections as other official flags recognized by Congress.

The takeaway

This move by Schumer aims to enshrine the Pride Flag's significance in American civil rights history and prevent future attempts to remove it from national monuments like the Stonewall Inn, which holds deep meaning for the LGBTQ community.