Several nonprofit groups have united in a powerful stand against the recent removal of the iconic pride flag at Manhattan’s Stonewall National Monument. On Tuesday, they filed a joint lawsuit against the National Park Service (NPS), the Department of the Interior, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, demanding accountability for the discriminatory act.

The plaintiffs include the Gilbert Baker Foundation, named after the visionary artist who designed the first pride flag in 1978, as well as other prominent organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and the National LGBTQ Task Force. Together, they represent the voices of millions of individuals who have been directly or indirectly affected by the actions of the NPS.

This unprecedented move comes after the pride flag, which had been flying outside the historic Stonewall Inn since 2016, was abruptly taken down by the NPS earlier this month. The decision to remove the flag was met with widespread outrage and condemnation, as the Stonewall National Monument holds a special significance as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

The NPS had claimed that the flag was removed in order to be cleaned and repaired, but the lack of transparency and communication with the community only added fuel to the fire. It was only after intense backlash and pressure from advocacy groups and local politicians that the flag was eventually returned to its rightful place outside the Stonewall Inn.

But the damage had been done. The removal of the pride flag was seen as a deliberate erasure of the LGBTQ+ community and their history, and a clear message of discrimination and oppression. This is not the first time that the NPS has been called out for neglecting the Stonewall National Monument and its significance. In 2019, they failed to fly the pride flag during LGBTQ History Month, citing a policy that only allowed the American flag to be flown on the monument’s flagpole.

The joint lawsuit filed by the nonprofit groups aims to ensure that such discriminatory actions will not be tolerated in the future. It demands that the NPS, the Department of the Interior, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum be held accountable for their actions and that policies be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Stonewall National Monument holds immense cultural, historical, and social significance for the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that the community has endured in their fight for equality and acceptance. The removal of the pride flag at such a monumental site is not just a simple act of taking down a piece of fabric, it is a symbol of erasure and a direct attack on the community’s identity and pride.

But the response from the community and the swift action taken by these nonprofit groups is a testament to the resilience and strength of the LGBTQ+ community. It shows that they will not stand for discrimination and will fight for their rights and representation.

In a statement, the Gilbert Baker Foundation expressed their disappointment in the NPS, stating that the removal of the pride flag was “a direct attack on the legacy of Gilbert Baker and the millions of LGBTQ+ people who have stood under the rainbow flag in times of need, rebellion, and celebration.” They also emphasized the need for the pride flag to fly at the Stonewall National Monument, as it is “a powerful symbol of hope and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community and a tribute to those who have fought for their rights.”

The efforts of these nonprofit groups in filing the joint lawsuit should not go unnoticed. They serve as a reminder that the fight for equality and justice is ongoing, and every act of discrimination or erasure will be met with resistance and action.

We can only hope that this lawsuit will bring about meaningful change and serve as a wake-up call for the NPS to prioritize inclusivity and representation at all of their national monuments, especially the Stonewall National Monument, which holds a special place in the LGBTQ+ community’s history and hearts. Let us continue to support these nonprofit groups in their fight for justice and stand together in pride and solidarity.