USNS Harvey Milk renaming: Who was Harvey Milk and why does the US Navy want a new name?
Why Now?
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Who Was Harvey Milk?
A Ship Named for Equality
Why the Renaming Is Controversial
What Happens Next?
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In a highly controversial move, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk—a decision that comes during Pride Month and is already drawing fierce backlash.According to U.S. officials, Navy Secretary John Phelan has formed a small team tasked with selecting a new name for the John Lewis-class replenishment oiler. While no replacement name has been confirmed, an official announcement is expected on June 13 aboard the historic USS Constitution.A memo from the Secretary of the Navy's office outlines that the renaming is part of a broader effort to 'reestablish the warrior culture' within the military. The directive aligns with the priorities of President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Navy Secretary Phelan—signaling a departure from past efforts to honor civil rights leaders through military naming conventions.Critics have pointed to the timing—during Pride Month—as a symbolic rollback of the military's recognition of LGBTQ+ contributions.Harvey Milk was a groundbreaking civil rights leader and the first openly gay elected official in California. Born in 1930 in Woodmere, New York, Milk served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Despite his honorable service, he was discharged due to his sexual orientation, reflecting the era's discriminatory policies.After moving to San Francisco in 1972, Milk became a central figure in the city's LGBTQ+ movement. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming one of the first openly gay officials in U.S. history. Milk co-sponsored pioneering legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and led the successful fight against Proposition 6, which aimed to bar gay individuals from teaching in public schools.Milk was tragically assassinated in 1978 alongside Mayor George Moscone. His legacy has since been celebrated nationwide: he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2009, and California observes May 22 as Harvey Milk Day.In 2016, the U.S. Navy announced it would honor Milk by naming a ship after him—the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206). Part of the John Lewis class of ships named after civil rights icons, the decision aimed to acknowledge Milk's legacy and promote inclusivity within the armed forces. The vessel was christened in 2021 and became the first Navy ship named after an openly gay person.Hegseth's decision to strip the ship of Milk's name has sparked widespread criticism. Political leaders such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Senator Scott Wiener have condemned the move as an erasure of LGBTQ+ history and a regressive step for civil rights.Many view the renaming as emblematic of broader efforts under the Trump administration to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. From banning transgender individuals from serving in the military to reversing protections in healthcare, housing, and education, the administration has faced repeated criticism from advocacy groups for targeting marginalized communities.Labor and LGBTQ+ organizations argue that the Navy's decision sends a chilling message—particularly during a month meant to celebrate inclusion and equality. By removing Milk's name from the ship, critics say the Pentagon is prioritizing ideology over historical recognition and symbolic justice.As of now, the Navy has not released the new name for the vessel. The final decision is expected to be announced in mid-June. Until then, the debate surrounding the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk continues to reflect the broader cultural and political divide over how the military honors its past—and who it chooses to remember.
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