Recently, the National Park Service issued a memo barring employees from attending Pride parades in uniform. Official participation appears uncertain, and many LGBQT+ Rangers are feeling defeated.
NPS has walked in the SF pride parade for years. Any large org will have a contingent, it’s a normal part of being in the community here. Usually the LGBT employees will take part, but allies can too … it’s participation in a community event.
NPS rangers don’t just represent the org, but they also represent the idea of working in the outdoors/in conservation. If you’re a young person who wants to work outdoors one day, it makes a huge difference to see that people like you are allowed to openly be themselves especially considering that machismo past of NPS and outdoors work.
NPS isn’t just about nature, in SF NPS controls Alcatraz and you can bet your ass that all the rangers who have learned all about the history have strong views about the prison system today. NPS is a contingent of the government with very strong values, what they choose to conserve, what history they choose to tell … I don’t think it’s any different to have employees show up at pride.
NPS has walked in the SF pride parade for years. Any large org will have a contingent, it’s a normal part of being in the community here. Usually the LGBT employees will take part, but allies can too … it’s participation in a community event.
NPS rangers don’t just represent the org, but they also represent the idea of working in the outdoors/in conservation. If you’re a young person who wants to work outdoors one day, it makes a huge difference to see that people like you are allowed to openly be themselves especially considering that machismo past of NPS and outdoors work.
NPS isn’t just about nature, in SF NPS controls Alcatraz and you can bet your ass that all the rangers who have learned all about the history have strong views about the prison system today. NPS is a contingent of the government with very strong values, what they choose to conserve, what history they choose to tell … I don’t think it’s any different to have employees show up at pride.