Pete Hegseth Wants to Rename the "USNS Harvey Milk" - A Blow to LGBTQ+ Community and History?
Defense Secretary Hegseth advocates for expulsion of navy ship-based gay advocates
Hop on board, because we're diving deep into a contentious issue that's making waves - the potential renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy ship named after the slain gay rights leader. Here's the lowdown:
The Background
- Naval Namesake: The USNS Harvey Milk, launched in 2021, is part of a series of vessels named for civil rights leaders, serving as a replenishment oiler in San Diego to support naval operations by providing fuel and supplies.[1][4]
- Naming Heroes: The ship bears the name of Harvey Milk, a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, who was also a Navy diving officer during the Korean War.[1]
A Contentious Decision
- Secretary Hegseth's Order: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave the Navy marching orders to rename the ship, along with several other vessels named after civil rights figures and prominent women.[2][3]
- Timing and Politics: Critics see this move as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to adjust the Pentagon's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with the timing during Pride month considered particularly insensitive.[3][2]
The Fallout
- The LGBTQ+ Community's Response: Riding the waves of criticism, advocates and community leaders view the move as an attempt to erase the community's history and contributions.[1][2]
- Veteran Concerns: Practical issues are also at play, with concerns raised about the logistical and financial challenges of changing the ship's identity, including rebranding uniforms and altering physical ship features.[2]
- Symbolic Significance: Beyond the practical implications, the renaming is seen as a symbolic act with broader significance, part of a larger effort to redefine the values and priorities of the U.S. military under the Trump administration.[3][4]
The New Guidelines
- Pentagon Priorities: The Pentagon has stated that any naming decisions will align with the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, the nation's history, and the warrior ethos.[3][1]
- Future Changes: If the plan comes to fruition, other ships in the John Lewis-class, such as those honoring Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman, might also face name changes.[2][3] The new names have yet to be announced.[4]
[1] ntv.de, DPA[2] The Guardian[3] CBS News[4] Military Times
- Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, now the US Secretary of Defense, is proposing a policy-and-legislation change that could lead to the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy ship honorarily named after the slain LGBTQ+ rights activist and Navy dive officer, highlighting the intersection of politics and general news.
- The potential renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after Harvey Milk, is currently a contentious issue in policy-and-legislation, with activists and veterans expressing concerns that such a move could be a blow to the LGBTQ+ community and history, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity in policy decisions.
