Imagine seeing someone want to display colors to show other human beings that they are seen and loved…
… then reacting to that with irrational anger. Wanting everyone who displays these supporting colors to be fired from their jobs and vulnerable to homelessness.
Imagine what kind of person does that.
I really do wish we had to imagine them, but we don’t. I see these motherfuckers every day, and some of them are family. I’m extremely disappointed that this type of propaganda is able to work.
Please vote people who are not trying to gut our education programs even further, our entire way of life depends on it.
Bigoted patrons. I guarantee NPS didn’t come to the decision unprompted. They just want visitors to be respectful of nature and one another.
For anyone wondering why NPS or any federal agency might participate in external events or allow employees to attend events in uniform: LGBTQ+ is one of several areas of special emphasis for federal agencies in recruitment, retention, and awareness. Others include, for example, women in government; Asian, Black, Native American, or Hispanic heritage; and people with disabilities. Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) are codified by executive order. The major intents are to dispel stereotypes, promote inclusion, and recognize the advances made by and contributions of people belonging to these groups.
As an example of the kind of participation agencies have shown under SEPs in the past—a local office may attend and set up a booth at a career fair for a Historically Black College or University. This serves employment-related outreach efforts under the SEP for the agency while also observing and recognizing this group. There is no similar Big Gay Hiring Event at a large scale, so Pride participation makes sense to further efforts under this SEP. Even apart from recruitment, the recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals—which NPS already explicitly supports through their management of Stonewall National Monument—and outward displays of inclusion for this group are equally important for prospective and current employees, as part of the culture of the agency.
What NPS has done is allow requests to participate in local Pride events as a form of observance and outreach to languish on the desks of NPS leadership.
