As reported yesterday, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy re-name its ship, the USNS Harvey Milk.
Milk was the primary out-gay man in america to win an election for public workplace. He gained a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Nevertheless, his time within the function was short-lived. He was gunned down, alongside the town’s mayor, George Moscone, in November 1978.
As a youthful man, Milk additionally served within the Navy.
Politics, however make it homosexual!
Keep woke with our briefing whereas staying knowledgeable on all issues LGBTQ+ leisure, life, and extra!
In 2016, the Navy introduced it deliberate to rename ships in honor of civil rights leaders. The USNS Harvey Milk, an oiler, was launched in 2021.
Military.com yesterday revealed the Pentagon’s deliberate identify change of the ship.
A protection official stated that Hegseth had ordered Navy Secretary John Phelan to strip the ship of Milk’s identify. They added that the choice to take action throughout Satisfaction Month was intentional.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell has since issued a press release saying a number of ships will probably be renamed.
“Secretary Hegseth is dedicated to making sure that the names hooked up to all DOD installations and belongings are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief’s priorities, our nation’s historical past, and the warrior ethos,” Parnell stated. “Any potential renaming(s) will probably be introduced after inside evaluations are full.”
Stuart Milk responds
Amongst these to react to the information are Stuart Milk, the homosexual nephew of Harvey Milk and a famous LGBTQ+ advocate in his personal proper. Stuart is the Government Chair of the Harvey Milk Basis.
Talking on behalf of the Basis and the Milk household, Stuart stated on Facebook, “We’re heartbroken to listen to that there’s a suggestion on the Pentagon to take away my uncle’s identify from the USNS Harvey Milk.”
“I just lately had the honour of spending three days and nights aboard the ship with the women and men who serve our nation, and I used to be there because the ship replenished, whereas underway at sea, the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON2) accompanying the USS Gerald Ford within the Atlantic Ocean. The satisfaction that every one the women and men on these ships – homosexual, straight, black, white, Hispanic, commissioned officers and enlisted personnel – all of them, with out exception, expressed and relayed to me, was a testomony to the American spirit of patriotism and respect for our nation’s collective historical past of progress.”
“Uncle Harvey didn’t got down to have a US Naval Ship, or the rest, named after him. He didn’t set out in pursuit of glory or fame. Somewhat, guided by ardour, dedication, and laborious work, he did got down to be a messenger of hope for all who had been marginalized and even criminalized, only for being who they authentically had been.”
“Hope”
“Harvey Milk was an uncle, a public servant, a son, a veteran, a brother, a trainer, a embellished Naval teacher, and a historic elected official,” Stuart continued. “Within the prime of his public service profession, he was silenced by one other who in the end tried to erase him.”
He stated his uncle’s legacy since “Has sustained a message of hope, hope unashamed, hope unafraid, hope that won’t be silenced, and hope that merely can’t be erased.
“My uncle’s life story, his service within the Navy, as a trainer, as a Broadway producer, in native authorities, and in main a statewide equality marketing campaign, has continued to stir the hope and aspirations of tens of millions throughout the globe. His legacy has stood as a proud and vivid gentle for the women and men who serve in our nation’s army – together with those that have served on the USNS Harvey Milk.”
“Harvey Milk’s legacy is definitely enhanced and celebrated by a US Naval Ship, nonetheless his legacy won’t be silenced or diminished by the renaming of that Naval ship.”
“Somewhat such an motion would solely serve to show that Harvey Milk model hope will proceed to endure and encourage throughout the globe, and that neither bullets nor identify stripping can cease Harvey’s overriding message to us all – when he prophetically anticipated making the final word sacrifice: ‘Let the bullets that enter my mind, destroy each closet door’. ‘You gotta give ’em hope.’”
Nancy Pelosi: “A shameful, vindictive erasure”
Former Home Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) additionally responded. She referred to as the choice, “a shameful, vindictive erasure of those that fought to interrupt down boundaries for all to chase the American Dream.”
“Our army is probably the most highly effective on the planet — however this spiteful transfer doesn’t strengthen our nationwide safety or the ‘warrior’ ethos. As an alternative, it’s a give up of a basic American worth: to honor the legacy of those that labored to construct a greater nation.”
Dustin Lance Black, who gained a screenwriter Oscar for the biopic Milk, additionally posted a response to his Instagram tales. It’s unclear whether or not the caption is his personal phrases or a re-share and endorsement of another person’s.
“This one hits dwelling. And through Satisfaction month. Whereas expensive mates cycle to LA in assist of the AIDS Basis.
“Harvey’s identify is a beacon of hope, love, and acceptance of all human beings. In the meantime, this administration will proceed to point out us all of the inventive methods they will strip our rights and lead from a spot of hate and bigotry.”
Associated*
Join the Queerty newsletter to remain on prime of the most popular tales in LGBTQ+ leisure, politics, and tradition.
