Hegseth Renames Navy Ship, Sparks Pride Month Debate
- Navy is reportedly preparing to rename several ships that are named after prominent civil rights and labor leaders.
- Other vessels on the list for recommended renaming include the USNS Thurgood marshall, named after the first Black Supreme Court justice; the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, named after...
- The decision to rename the ships reportedly came directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The U.S.Navy is poised to rename ships honoring esteemed civil rights leaders, including Harvey Milk, Thurgood Marshall, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly driving the initiative, sparking notable debate, especially given the timing during Pride Month. This decision, part of an effort to reshape the military’s “warrior culture,” has already drawn criticism. The renaming process stems from a directive barring the celebration of cultural awareness months. News Directory 3 is following the story closely. Will this spark further controversy, or will the Navy’s actions yield the intended results? Discover what’s next …
Navy may Rename Ships Honoring Civil Rights Leaders
Updated June 03, 2025
The U.S. Navy is reportedly preparing to rename several ships that are named after prominent civil rights and labor leaders. The USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy support ship named for the assassinated gay rights icon, is among those being considered for a name change.
Other vessels on the list for recommended renaming include the USNS Thurgood marshall, named after the first Black Supreme Court justice; the USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg, named after the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court; the USNS Harriet Tubman, named after the abolitionist; the USNS Dolores Huerta, named after the Chicana labor activist; the USNS Lucy Stone, named after the suffragist; the USNS Cesar Chavez, named after the labor activist; and the USNS Medgar Evers, named after the slain civil rights leader.
The decision to rename the ships reportedly came directly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A Defense Department source said the decision to rename the ship during Pride month was intentional.
In January, Hegseth issued a directive barring the use of Pentagon resources to promote or celebrate “cultural awareness months,” including Pride Month and Black History Month.
According to a memo, the decision to rename the ship was part of an effort to reestablish “the warrior culture” within the military.
Harvey Milk was ousted from the Navy in 1955 after being accused of homosexual activity. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming the first openly gay man in such a role. Milk was assassinated in 1978.
In 2019, the Navy’s decision to name a ship after Milk was seen as a step toward restitution for his dismissal and the discharge of thousands of other service members under “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Since then, the military has banned transgender individuals from enlisting. The Pentagon also faced criticism for removing photos and web pages honoring women and minorities in the military.
What’s next
The Navy is expected to announce the new names for the ships in the coming weeks. The decision is likely to face strong opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups.