Hegseth's Mid-Pride Move: US Navy Ship Rename Controversy
Navy removes gay politician's name following Hegseth's suggestion
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has caused a stir in the LGBTQ+ community by ordering the renaming of a US Navy ship honoring Harvey Milk, a pioneering gay rights activist and Marine veteran. The ship, which was launched in 2021, will see its name changed this June, with the new name yet to be revealed.
Problematic timing? You bet! The renaming during Pride Month, which honors the LGBTQI+ community, has sparked accusations of intentional disregard for the community's contributions and struggles. The ship, a logistics support vessel, primarily supplies larger marine units and isn't typically involved in combat operations.
Hegseth's decision follows his ongoing efforts to reshape the military and align its values with those of the current Commander-in-Chief. As part of this push, he has targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and veteran ships named after civil rights activists. Reports suggest that other ships, such as Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, and Lucy Stone, could also face potential renamings. Renamings in the US military are rare occurrences, with the last one happening in 2023, due to a ship's former namesake's ties to the Confederate states.
Harvey Milk's legacy as a beacon of hope for the LGBTQ+ community is deeply valued. Born in 1930, he served in the military before being forced out due to his sexual orientation. The timing of this renaming, during Pride Month, is seen by many as a deliberate affront to the community and their achievements.
Some Fun Facts:
- Harvey Milk's ship, the USNS Harvey Milk, is a logistics support vessel providing supplies to larger marine units.
- Thurgood Marshall served on the Supreme Court, while Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Harriet Tubman are renowned for their roles in the abolition of slavery and the fight for women's rights, respectively.
- Renamings in the US military are uncommon, with the last one occurring in 2023 due to connections to the Confederate States during the Civil War.
References:
- ntv.de
- lme
- CBS News
- CNN
- Enrichment Data: Learn more about Pete Hegseth, the US Military, and LGBTQ+ rights in the USA. Source
The Commission, in light of the ongoing political debates and general news, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, considering the implications in war-and-conflicts scenarios, particularly in the context of the US military's controversial renamings of ships honoring civil rights activists like Harvey Milk.
This move, in the midst of Pride Month, sparking controversy over its intentional disregard for the LGBTQ+ community's struggles and achievements, serves as a stark reminder of the need for broader discussions on equality and inclusivity, not only in military policies but also in various sectors of society.
