Pentagon Renames US Warship Over ‘Gay’ Label – RT News
- The Navy is under orders to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the gay rights icon and Navy veteran.
- Defense officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the upcoming renaming.
- Harvey Milk, an LGBT icon, was the first openly gay official elected in California.
Teh pentagon is set to rename the USNS Harvey Milk,a ship honoring the gay rights advocate and Navy veteran,as the military pivots away from diversity and inclusion initiatives.this directive, confirmed by defense officials, is a key move by the Trump management, sparking immediate controversy during Pride Month. The USNS Harvey Milk, originally named in 2016, was christened nearly five years later by a transgender veteran, highlighting Milk’s groundbreaking legacy as the first openly gay elected official in California. The news of the renaming has drawn immediate criticism, with prominent Democrats condemning the change as an affront to civil rights. Considering the implications of this decision, News Directory 3 is following closely, questioning if other ships named after civil rights leaders will also be affected. Discover what’s next as the military renames the ship.
Navy to Rename Ship Honoring Gay Rights Advocate Harvey Milk
The Navy is under orders to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship named after the gay rights icon and Navy veteran. This directive is reportedly part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) references within the military.
Defense officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the upcoming renaming. The USNS Harvey Milk, a replenishment oiler, was originally named in 2016 to honor Milk’s service and activism. A transgender veteran christened the ship in 2021.
Harvey Milk, an LGBT icon, was the first openly gay official elected in California. He served in the Navy in the 1950s before being discharged due to his sexual orientation. Milk was assassinated in 1978, less than a year after being elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
The Trump administration’s decision aligns with its goal to reestablish a “warrior culture” and remove DEI initiatives from federal agencies. The new name for the ship has not yet been chosen.
democrats have strongly criticized the decision, notably during Pride Month. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of civil rights legacies. California Gov. gavin Newsom described the move as a sign of “Trump’s contempt for the very values our veterans fight to protect.”
it remains unclear whether other John Lewis-class ships, named after civil rights leaders, will also be renamed. These ships honor figures such as John Lewis, Earl Warren, Robert F. Kennedy, Lucy Stone, and Sojourner Truth.
What’s next
The Navy has not yet announced the new name for the vessel. Further announcements are expected as the renaming process moves forward.