The US Navy has decided to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a vessel honoring the late gay rights activist and Navy veteran, without providing a specific reason for the change. This announcement coincides with Pride Month, a time for recognizing the contributions of the LGBTQ community. Harvey Milk became one of America’s first openly gay elected officials after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1978, an event that ignited widespread protests.
The USNS Harvey Milk, launched in 2021, belongs to a class of ships named after prominent civil rights figures, including Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, reflecting their legacy of advocacy for equality. Milk served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Chanticleer and USS Kittiwake.
Complicating matters, in January 2023, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive to the Pentagon aiming to eliminate “cultural” months, such as Pride Month, arguing that they undermine military cohesion and mission readiness. This directive emphasized a focus on unity and questioned initiatives that elevate one group over another.
Additionally, Hegseth has taken steps to restore the name of Fort Bragg back to its original designation, reflecting a shift in how the military addresses its historical namesakes. The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk raises concerns about the future of LGBTQ representation in military and public spaces, especially during a month dedicated to celebrating such identities.
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