In a move drawing heavy criticism, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a naval ship named after civil rights icon Harvey Milk. The announcement, made during Pride Month, has ignited widespread outrage from LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and civil society groups.
The USNS Harvey Milk was originally named to honor Harvey Milk, a Navy veteran and the first openly gay elected official in California. Naming the ship recognized both his military service and his leadership in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. But Pete Hegseth has taken a different stance, stating that ship names should reflect "warfighting traditions" and not, in his words, "social messaging."
The change has sparked intense backlash, particularly because it was announced during Pride Month, a time meant to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride and progress.
The renaming of the Harvey Milk ship has drawn sharp criticism. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups argue this move sends the wrong message to service members who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
“This isn’t just about a ship. It’s about erasing LGBTQ+ representation from our military history,” said a spokesperson from the Modern Military Association of America.
Veterans have also weighed in, pointing out that Harvey Milk himself served in the U.S. Navy at a time when homosexuality was a taboo and punishable by discharge. For many, the USNS Harvey Milk symbolized hard-earned progress.
It’s worth noting the distinction between USNS Harvey Milk, which is a support vessel, and USS-prefixed warships. Despite that, both titles carry symbolic weight. Pete Hegseth’s move has put all symbolic names under scrutiny.
Along with the USNS Harvey Milk, other ships named after civil rights figures like the Harriet Tubman ship and the USS John Lewis may also be reviewed. These ships were part of a naming effort that aimed to better reflect American diversity and honor those who shaped social justice movements.
Since taking the position of Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth has made it clear that he wants to refocus the military on combat readiness. Critics say his policies are rolling back inclusion, while supporters argue he is restoring “traditional values.”
“We honor war heroes, not cultural icons,” Hegseth said during a press briefing.
But activists question why a Navy veteran like Harvey Milk, who paid the ultimate price for standing up for his beliefs, doesn’t qualify as a hero worth honoring.
This decision may not be limited to just the Harvey Milk ship. Sources suggest that other vessels, including the Harriet Tubman ship, are being reevaluated under the same policy lens.
Civil rights advocates warn this could be the beginning of a trend that eliminates names tied to historic figures who broke social barriers rather than those who led battlefield victories.
The backlash has spread beyond the defense community. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed concern, especially regarding the timing of the decision during Pride Month.
The hashtag #HonorHarveyMilk is now trending across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. People are sharing images of the ship and quoting Milk’s iconic words: “Hope will never be silent.”
Democrats have demanded an explanation from Pete Hegseth and vowed to introduce a resolution honoring Harvey Milk’s contributions to the nation.
For many Americans, Pride Month is a celebration of identity and progress. The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk ship has transformed this year’s observance into a flashpoint for culture wars.
Veterans, LGBTQ+ leaders, and civil rights historians argue that this act disrespects both the military service and the political activism of Harvey Milk.
At this time, the USNS Harvey Milk still bears the name on its hull, but a new name is expected to be announced soon. Many believe this change could open the floodgates for further revisions in ship naming conventions—potentially including the Harriet Tubman and Ruth Bader Ginsburg ships.
Whether or not this decision will stand remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Harvey Milk’s legacy continues to stir emotion, pride, and protest—both inside and outside the military.
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