February 18, 2026 NEW YORK, NY The historic streets of Greenwich Village have become the front line of a burgeoning legal war. On February 17, a coalition of LGBTQ+ advocates officially struck back, filing a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for what they describe as a calculated and unlawful attempt to "erase" history at the site of the modern movement’s birth.

The Midnight Vanishing

The controversy centers on the Stonewall National Monument, where the Rainbow Flag—a symbol of liberation since its installation under the Biden administration in 2022—suddenly went missing on February 9.

This wasn't just a physical removal; it was the culmination of a year-long tug-of-war. After Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the administration first stripped away the "Progress" version of the flag (featuring black, brown, and trans-inclusive stripes), replacing it with the standard six-color banner. Earlier this month, they opted to remove the flag entirely.

"Arbitrary and Capricious": The Legal Warpath

Represented by Lambda Legal and the Washington Litigation Group, the plaintiffs—including the Gilbert Baker Foundation and Equality New York—filed their suit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The core of their argument? The administration violated the Administrative Procedures Act.

"The Pride Flag... is an integral part of the story this site was created to tell," said Douglas F. Curtis, chief legal advocacy officer at Lambda Legal. "Its removal continues the Trump administration’s disregard for what the law actually requires."

The lawsuit demands that the court:

• Declare the removal "arbitrary and capricious" and contrary to federal law.

• Force the National Park Service (NPS) to officially restore the sanctioned flag to its rightful place.

The Administration Fires Back

The Department of the Interior, led by Secretary Doug Burgum, hasn't backed down. When activists and local officials defied the removal by raising a new flag just three days later, the Department dismissed the ceremony as a "political stunt" and a "distraction" from what they termed the city’s "recent deadly failures."

A Movement Refusing to Fade

For the plaintiffs, including trans activists Melissa Sklarz and Tanya Asapansa Walker, the flag is more than fabric—it is a sentry.

"The Pride flag is recognized globally as a symbol of hope and liberation," noted Charles Beal, president of the Gilbert Baker Foundation. "Removing it would, in fact, erase its history and the voices Stonewall honors."

A Two-Front War

As the lawyers head to court, a legislative battle is brewing in Washington. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congressmember Dan Goldman are currently pushing for a bill that would designate the Rainbow Flag as a "congressionally-authorized flag," effectively stripping the executive branch of its power to take it down.

The message from the Village is clear: The flag may have been lowered by the feds, but the community is prepared for a long, loud fight to keep it flying.