The US Navy is set to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, which honors the first openly gay elected official in California. This decision, influenced by a directive from the Trump-era Defense Secretary, aims to shift military culture away from diversity initiatives, prompting criticism from Democratic leaders.
US Navy to Rename Ship Honoring Gay Rights Pioneer Harvey Milk
US Navy to Rename Ship Honoring Gay Rights Pioneer Harvey Milk
Amid Pride Month, the US Navy plans to remove the name of Harvey Milk from a vessel, reflecting broader policy changes under the Trump administration.
The US Navy is preparing to rename one of its ships honoring gay rights leader and Navy veteran Harvey Milk, reflecting recent policy changes initiated by the Trump administration regarding diversity in the military. Documents obtained by CBS News outline a timeline for the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, which coincides with Pride Month—a time dedicated to recognizing LGBT history and achievements.
The decision comes during an era when the military is reportedly striving to realign itself with the Trump administration's ambition to "re-establish the warrior culture." Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell informed CBS News that a new name for the fleet oiler will be selected by Navy Secretary John Phelan and communicated to senior officials after a legal review.
The renaming initiative also includes other vessels named after civil rights leaders, such as the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the USNS Harriet Tubman. Harvey Milk, notable for being the first openly gay individual elected to public office in California, made history as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before his assassination in 1978.
This initiative arrives in the context of a directive by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year, mandating the military halt events connected to cultural heritage months. According to interviews, this directive forbids the use of military resources for occasions like Pride Month and Black History Month, asserting that such activities could hinder unity within the armed forces.
Moreover, President Trump previously signed executive orders banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within government agencies—upholding a binary understanding of sex as only male and female. Advocates of DEI programs argue that they combat historical discrimination against marginalized groups, while critics contend these initiatives perpetuate division.
The movement to rename the Harvey Milk ship has drawn ire from several prominent Democrats. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the action as a "vindictive erasure," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly challenged Hegseth to reverse the decision, expressing disappointment in the underlying motivations.
