The Pride flag is back up at Stonewall National Monument, at least for now.

LGBTQ+ community members told NY1 that the flag symbolizes freedom, equality and resistance. They also mentioned that they’re standing united against what they view as an attack by the Trump administration on the gay community.

What You Need To Know

The Pride flag is back up at Stonewall National Monument, at least for now. Advocates re-raised the flag without the White House’s approval Thursday afternoon

The Pride flag was quietly removed this week after a directive from the White House, which ordered that only U.S. flags and other authorized flags can be flown at National Park Service locations

In a statement, a U.S. Department of the Interior spokesperson wrote: “Today’s political pageantry shows how utterly incompetent and misaligned the New York City officials are with the problems their city is facing…Recent adjustments to flag displays at the monument were made to ensure consistency with federal guidance. Stonewall National Monument remains committed to preserving and interpreting the history and significance of this site through its exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives”

The department also wrote in a statement that it’s going to continue to adhere to the existing rules and not make exceptions for Stonewall

“I’m happy to see the Pride flag being put back up,” Michael Hisey, who has been an activist for more than 40 years, said.

“I feel very grateful and very lucky to have been here,” Elisa Michel, a protester, said, adding that Stonewall and this community make her feel safe.

The Pride flag was quietly removed on Tuesday after a directive from the White House, which ordered that only U.S. flags and other authorized flags can be flown at National Park Service locations.

The move angered activists who saw the removal as a symbolic swipe at the country’s first national monument to LGBTQ+ history.

“It is petty, but we’re not going anywhere. I mean, it’s 2026,” Charlie Sprinkman, a protester, said.

Advocates re-raised the Pride flag without the White House’s approval on Thursday afternoon.

“This is New York. We’re all [a] melting pot. And everyone here, I think, everyone loves each other. And I think New York, it just always sets an example for everyone,” Khaled Eldsluki, another protester, said.

Sprinkman, who recently moved to the city from Wisconsin, said this is a powerful moment for the community to come together.

“As a queer business owner, I mean, we all look at Stonewall as a movement that allows us to run our businesses today as out queer business owners,” he said.

A rally earlier in the day with elected officials and other allies gathered in support of reinstating the Pride flag.

NY1 reached out to the Trump administration for a comment.

In a statement, a U.S. Department of the Interior spokesperson wrote: “Today’s political pageantry shows how utterly incompetent and misaligned the New York City officials are with the problems their city is facing…Recent adjustments to flag displays at the monument were made to ensure consistency with federal guidance. Stonewall National Monument remains committed to preserving and interpreting the history and significance of this site through its exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives.”

LGBTQ+ advocates and allies vow to continue fighting for equality.

“This is sacred ground, this is our park. It’s a federally designated park by [former President Barack] Obama in 2016, but it’s still our park,” Hisey said. “Everybody from around the world comes here as a tourist, to see this park, to see the Pride flag, to see the statues, and just be at Stonewall where everything happened for us.”

In a statement, the U.S. Department of the Interior also said it’s going to continue to adhere to the existing rules and not make exceptions for Stonewall.