US Navy To Rename Vessel Commemorating Harvey Milk Amid Controversy

The US Navy is set to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a vessel named after the gay rights pioneer and veteran, following a directive from the Department of Defense aimed at reinforcing a "warrior culture" in the military. This decision aligns with the Trump administration’s policies against programs promoting diversity and inclusion. Critics, including prominent Democratic leaders, have denounced the move as a damaging erasure of civil rights progress.

The US Navy has revealed its intention to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a warship dedicated to the memory of the pioneering gay rights advocate and Navy veteran. This development comes to light through documents obtained by CBS News and coincides with the observance of Pride Month, which commemorates LGBTQ+ rights and events such as the Stonewall riots of 1969. The Navy's plans are reportedly in response to a broader campaign by the Trump administration that seeks to diminish initiatives promoting diversity within federal institutions.

Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, indicated that the shift in naming reflects a strategic realignment aimed at restoring what the administration deems a "warrior culture" in the military. A memorandum instructs Navy Secretary John Phelan to designate a new name for the fleet oiler, with a legal review scheduled before informing higher-ranking Navy officials.

Other vessels, including those named after notable civil rights figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Harriet Tubman, are also being considered for renaming, raising concerns among advocates for civil rights and inclusion. Milk, celebrated for being the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors until his assassination in 1978.

The push for renaming is underpinned by a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year, which prohibited military personnel from organizing events celebrating diversity awareness months. This policy change has led to significant backlash, with critics arguing that such measures undermine inclusivity and the legacy of historical champions for equality.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the renaming initiative as a "vindictive erasure" of the contributions of figures like Milk, who battled for equal rights. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has publicly expressed his disapproval, calling for an immediate reversal of Hegseth's directive. On social media platform X, Schumer voiced that the secretary should be "ashamed" of the decision.

As the Navy continues with plans to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, the decision highlights the ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding issues of identity and representation within American institutions.