The US Navy has announced plans to rename the ship honoring Harvey Milk, a well-known gay rights leader and Navy veteran. This decision comes during Pride Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and remembering the Stonewall riots of 1969.
Documents obtained by CBS News reveal that the Navy is preparing to share the timeline for the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk with the public. This move is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping military culture and reducing programs that promote diversity and inclusion.
Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, stated that the renaming aligns with efforts to "re-establish the warrior culture" within the military. The Navy Secretary, John Phelan, will be responsible for selecting a new name for the ship, which will then be communicated to senior Navy officials after a legal review.
The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is not the only change on the table. Other vessels, such as the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the USNS Harriet Tubman, are also being considered for renaming. Harvey Milk made history as the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before his assassination in 1978.
This directive follows a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which instructed military personnel to refrain from hosting events related to heritage or awareness months, including Pride Month and Black History Month. The administration argues that such events could undermine unity within the armed forces.
Critics of the renaming initiative have voiced their concerns. Prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have condemned the decision as a "vindictive erasure" of individuals who fought for equality. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also expressed his disapproval, urging Hegseth to reconsider the move.
The push to rename the USNS Harvey Milk reflects ongoing tensions around diversity and inclusion efforts in the military and broader government policies under the Trump administration, which has sought to limit initiatives aimed at addressing historical discrimination.