Media reports Pentagon rebranding ‘gay’ US warship
(MENAFN)
The Pentagon is reportedly planning to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy ship named after the iconic gay rights activist and Navy veteran, as part of former President Donald Trump’s broader effort to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the military.
The Pentagon is reportedly planning to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a Navy ship named after the iconic gay rights activist and Navy veteran, as part of former President Donald Trump’s broader effort to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the military.
According to internal communications cited by Militaryand other outlets on Tuesday, the renaming has not yet been publicly announced, but multiple defense sources have confirmed the directive is in progress.
The ship, part of the John Lewis-class of replenishment oilers, was named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to recognize Milk’s service and legacy. It was officially christened in 2021 by a transgender Navy veteran. Harvey Milk served in the U.S. Navy during the 1950s but was forced out due to his sexual orientation. He later became the first openly gay elected official in California before being assassinated in 1978.
The move to rename the vessel reflects the Trump administration’s initiative to reestablish a traditional “warrior culture” within the armed forces and dismantle DEI-related programs across federal departments.
Critics have denounced the decision, especially since it coincides with Pride Month. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it a “shameful, vindictive erasure” of a key civil rights figure, while California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of showing “contempt for the values our veterans defend.”
The new name for the ship has not been selected, and the Navy has not issued an official statement. It is also unclear whether other ships in the same class – named after civil rights leaders like John Lewis, Sojourner Truth, and Robert F. Kennedy – will also be subject to renaming.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
