The decision comes as part of an effort to settle a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ advocacy and historic preservation groups, who challenged the February removal of the flag. According to court filings, the Interior Department and National Park Service have confirmed their intention to maintain the Pride flag at the site, pending final approval by a judge.
Under the agreement, three flags will be displayed on the monument’s flagpole within a week: the U.S. flag, the Pride flag, and the National Park Service flag. The Pride banner will remain in place except for maintenance or other practical reasons.
The controversy stems from the monument’s deep historical significance. Established in 2016 by Barack Obama, the site commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement that began at the nearby Stonewall Inn.
The Pride flag was first permanently installed at the monument in 2022 under Joe Biden, symbolizing federal recognition of LGBTQ+ history and visibility. However, its removal earlier this year, reportedly tied to updated federal guidance on flag displays, sparked widespread criticism from activists and public officials who viewed the move as undermining the monument’s purpose.
Advocates quickly mobilized, raising their own flag at the site and pressing for its reinstatement. The administration’s latest move is seen as a response to that pressure, as well as broader debates over how American history is represented across public institutions.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions around diversity, equity, and inclusion policies under the current administration, particularly in federally managed spaces. While officials have stated their goal is to avoid “divisive” messaging, critics argue that such measures risk erasing important historical narratives.
