In a move that has ignited widespread criticism, the U.S. Department of Defense, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has ordered the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy oiler named in honor of the slain gay rights activist and Navy veteran.
The decision, announced during Pride Month, aligns with the Trump administration’s initiative to “reestablish the warrior culture” within the military.
Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, served in the Navy during the Korean War before being honorably discharged due to his sexuality.
He was later assassinated in 1978 while serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021 as part of the John Lewis-class of replenishment oilers named after civil rights leaders.
The renaming directive has sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates and political figures. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the move as a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of those who fought for equality.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticised the decision, stating that stripping Milk’s name from the ship reveals “contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect”.
This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across federal agencies. The Pentagon has discontinued observances like Pride Month and Black History Month and has purged DEI-related content from its websites.
Notably, the term “Enola Gay,” referring to the World War II aircraft, was flagged for removal due to the word “gay” being mistakenly associated with LGBTQ+ content.
Critics argue that these measures represent an attempt to rewrite American history by erasing the contributions of marginalised groups. Actor Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, both associated with the 2008 film “Milk,” have publicly condemned the renaming decision, with Black calling it “small and petty” and Penn mocking the decision’s pettiness.
As the nation observes Pride Month, the removal of Harvey Milk’s name from a naval vessel underscores the ongoing debates over representation and inclusivity within the U.S. military and government institutions.
