Drag superstar Pattie Gonia and trans icon SJ Joslin arrived at the 2025 Out100 celebration tonight pulling off one of the queerest and most powerful red-carpet fashion stunts of all time.In May, queer and trans activists joined forces with allies to display a 55-by-35-foot trans pride flag on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The gesture, part of a project titled Trans Is Natural, resulted in the largest flag ever hung on El Capitan one of the world's most popular wall-climbing sites."We flew the trans pride flag in Yosemite to make a statement: Trans people are natural, and trans people are loved. Let this flag fly higher than hate," Pattie Gonia wrote at the time.The group of activists included a biologist and National Park ranger named SJ Joslin, who identifies as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, and who revealed that they had been fired from their job for taking part in the unfurling of the giant trans pride flag at Yosemite National Park."Raising this flag in the heart of El Capitan is a celebration of our community, standing in solidarity with each other and all targeted groups," SJ told the Los Angeles Times in an interview conducted after they were fired. "Being trans is a natural, beautiful part of human and biological diversity."Pattie Gonia and SJ did what needed to be done arriving at the 2025 Out100 event serving looks, sending messages, and being fiercely visible to inspire queer and trans youth across the U.S.Out: Where did the idea come from to display a transgender pride flag over the El Capitan in Yosemite National Park?Pattie Gonia: For the past few years, I've joined several queer park rangers, including SJ, to help throw Pride in Yosemite. This event isn't open to the public; it's just for queer people and allies that work in the park.As the Trump administration fights to spew hatred, defund national parks, and demonize trans people, we have an important reminder with flying the trans flag and wearing it here tonight: Trans people are natural and trans people are loved.RELATED: Creator of the trans flag is fleeing U.S. due to LGBTQ+ persecutionSJ Joslin: Trans rights are under attack and there are hundreds of queer and trans people working to take care of Yosemite and other beautiful national parks like it. So, we wanted to fly the largest trans flag hung on El Capitan in a naturally formed rock feature, shaped like a heart, as a symbol of trans people being welcome outdoors. What's happened to U.S. national parks and to the trans community since that powerful and headline-making stunt?Pattie: Not only are trans people under attack more than ever, but Trump is doing all he can do to defund and dismantle our national parks. Even with all the threats facing national parks and trans people, the queer community in the National Park Service remains strong.SJ: Trans rights continue to be under attack and people feel liberated to demonize people they know nothing about. Now, National Parks are under attack. We are seeing the erasure of history, the degradation of natural landscapes and the deprioritization of science preserving these has always been a non-partisan sentiment that makes visiting a National Park a visually and culturally rich experience.RELATED: Transgender references erased from Stonewall National Monument websiteSJ: The trans community is seeing people we previously thought were allies placate to Washington and abandon us out of fear. This administration keeps expanding the number of groups they are targeting, it may not be you today, but it will be tomorrow that's the problem with a government that seeks to profit from instead of uniting a county.Why did you feel inspired to recreate that moment here, tonight, at the 2025 Out100 event?Pattie: What better fashion statement is there to make than that trans people are loved? And getting to do it while upcycling something the Trump administration tries to demonize into a hot outfit? My dream!RELATED: Hundreds of U.K. celebrities sign open letter supporting trans rightsSJ: Trans people aren't going anywhere. We want our message of love, community and support to continue to reach as many people as possible. We won't back down to the fearmongering from Trump and his administration. We will use every opportunity possible to spread the message that our identities are valid, real, and nothing to be ashamed of.When did you meet for the first time, and what was it like to get together and make this bold statement against conservative forces?Pattie: SJ and I connected through with throwing Pride in Yosemite over the past few years. SJ is a crucial member of the Yosemite Queer community and has been an organizer, standing for love and inclusion of all people. When SJ came to me with the idea to fly the trans flag I was in even though I'm scared shitless of heights.SJ is an Out100 honoree this year. Pattie, why do you think SJ deserves this spot among 2025's most impactful and influential people in the LGBTQ+ community?Pattie: No one more deserving that SJ. More than flying this flag, they've been a leader for queer people in the national parks for years. I'm proud of SJ for standing strong in the face of the Trump administration.RELATED: Trump's government declares that trans people don't existSJ are rising above the Trump administration's fear and hatred with love and compassion. This is how we fight hate. This is how we all win.Any quick message you'd like to share with the LGBTQ+ community right now?Pattie: Guess who's not in the Epstein Files? Drag queens and trans people.SJ: Protect the dolls, eat the rich, and get outside.The 2025 Out100.The annual Out100 magazine issue highlights 100 people who are trailblazers advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. This year's Out100, presented by Lexus, featured Niecy Nash-Betts as the 2025 Icon of the Year honoree. An event celebrating this milestone is taking place this Friday, November 21, in Los Angeles.