NEW YORK, NY, February 10, 2026—The NYC LGBT Community Center condemns the National Park Service’s decision to remove the Pride Flag from the Stonewall National Monument. While the National Park Service cites “government-wide guidance” on flag displays, it is impossible to separate this action from the political context in which it is occurring. 

The removal of the Pride flag is symbolic of a broader attempt to erase LGBTQ+ people and our history from public spaces. Stonewall is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and is the first federal site dedicated to honoring its history. The Pride flag symbolizes our community, our struggles, and our contributions to American history.

Removing the flag does not erase the importance and history of Stonewall. But its removal undermines the safety of LGBTQ+ people, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. 

The Center continues to safeguard our history. We do so through our extensive archive, The LGBT Community Center National History Archive, and our digital monument, Stonewall Forever. Both exist as testaments to our true history, honoring the lives and legacies of all who’ve contributed to the fight for our rights.

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