• The US Navy has ordered the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, igniting controversy during Pride Month.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive to strip the ship's name aligns with efforts to realign military culture.
• Harvey Milk, a historic LGBTQ+ rights activist and Navy veteran, is seen as a symbol of civil rights.
• Former leaders, including Nancy Pelosi and Governor Gavin Newsom, condemned the move as an erasure of LGBTQ+ history.
• The renaming process could include other vessels named after prominent civil rights figures.

The U.S. Navy's decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk has generated significant backlash, especially given the timing of the announcement at the start of Pride Month. The order, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is framed as part of a broader initiative to “re-establish the warrior culture” in the military, aligning Navy practices with the goals of the Trump administration, according to documents obtained by CBS News, ABC, and The Hill.

The USNS Harvey Milk was named to honor the legacy of one of the first openly gay elected officials in California and a pioneer in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Milk served in the Navy during the Korean War, being posthumously recognized for his contributions to civil rights. This name change is perceived by many as a significant setback for LGBTQ+ recognition, particularly as it comes during a month dedicated to celebrating their rights. Lawmakers such as Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticized the decision, labeling it "shameful" and a "vindictive erasure," as reported by Salon, Los Angeles Times, and HuffPost.

The renaming process, driven by a memo from Navy Secretary John Phelan, has sparked outrage among veterans' groups and LGBTQ+ advocates, who view it as a direct attack on inclusive representation within the military. Organizations like VoteVets regard this action as a deliberate insult to LGBTQ+ service members, undermining values that many in the military uphold, as highlighted by Newsweek, NPR, and BBC.

The decision to rename ships after prominent figures, particularly civil rights icons, has previously been rare in the Navy and typically reflects broader societal values. The Navy's engagement in renaming these vessels comes amidst widespread criticism of President Trump's and Hegseth's policies aimed at rolling back diversity and inclusion efforts across federal agencies. This critical move mirrors Hegseth’s previous efforts to remove DEI initiatives from military discussions and materials, as stated in reports from India Times, The New York Times, and CBS News.