Navy ship named after gay activist being renamed following Pete Hegseth order
The decision to rename a U.S. Navy ship named after San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk has sparked controversy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the renaming of the oiler USNS Harvey Milk, which was originally named after Milk in 2016 during the Obama administration.
According to a memorandum issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, the renaming of the ship is part of a broader effort to align with the priorities of the current administration and to reestablish a “warrior culture” within the Department of Defense and U.S. Navy. The timing of the announcement during Pride month has raised eyebrows and led to accusations of insensitivity.
The USNS Harvey Milk completed its maiden voyage in 2024 and arrived in San Francisco with much fanfare. Harvey Milk was a visionary civil and human rights leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States when he was elected to public office in San Francisco in 1977. Milk’s legacy as a trailblazer for LGBTQ rights has been celebrated by many, making the decision to rename the ship a controversial one.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has condemned the renaming of the ship as a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of those who have fought to break down barriers for all Americans. Pelosi called on the Navy to reconsider the decision, stating that it goes against fundamental American values of honoring those who have worked to build a better country.
The move to rename the ship has also drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups and supporters of Harvey Milk’s legacy. The decision reflects a broader debate about how to reconcile historical figures and their contributions with evolving social norms and values.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Navy will respond to the backlash and whether further name changes may be on the horizon. The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk serves as a reminder of the complex intersections of history, identity, and legacy in shaping our understanding of the past and present.
