In a controversial move that has sparked national and international criticism, the United States Navy has been directed to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a ship that was named in honour of the slain LGBTQ rights pioneer and Navy veteran

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, appointed under President Donald Trump, issued the order as part of a broader initiative to rebuild traditional military ethos by reversing diversity equity and inclusion policies within the armed forces The timing of this decision during Pride Month has only heightened public outrage

Renaming during Pride Month

The decision to rename the ship was confirmed by officials who stated that the move was intended to re-establish warrior culture and refocus the military on combat readiness and operational strength According to reports, Secretary John Phelan is leading a small internal task force to recommend a new name for the replenishment oiler with an announcement expected later in June

A senior defence official told the media that this action is part of a strategic shift to concentrate on military preparedness and depoliticise naming conventions in the armed forces The story was first reported by Military.com and later confirmed by the Associated Press

Strong backlash from civil rights groups

The move has drawn swift condemnation from LGBTQ advocates and political leaders across the country Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the renaming a shameful and vindictive erasure of Harvey Milks contributions to both the military and civil rights

Pelosi stated that this action does not contribute to national security nor does it uplift the so called warrior ethos She added that it represents a surrender of American values and undermines the struggle for equality that Milk personified

Harvey Milks legacy

Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States A former Navy officer, he served in the 1950s but was discharged due to his sexual orientation He later became a San Francisco Supervisor where he championed a landmark law that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation

Milk was assassinated in 1978, but his legacy has endured as a symbol of courage, inclusion and civic responsibility The ship that bore his name was christened in 2021 and became part of the John Lewis class of replenishment oilers named in honour of civil rights leaders

An uncommon but not unprecedented decision

While renaming naval ships is rare, it is not without precedent The Biden administration had renamed two vessels in 2023 to remove references to Confederate figures However, naval tradition often views the act of renaming a ship as inauspicious Some even consider it to be tempting fate or angering the sea gods

Carlos Del Toro, who served as Navy Secretary during the Biden administration, previously said that naming the ship after Milk was a way to acknowledge past injustices and celebrate the contributions of LGBTQ service members

Broader implications for the military

This renaming marks a broader pattern under the Trump administration to undo diversity-focused reforms implemented by previous administrations Several policies relating to racial equity, gender identity, and sexual orientation within military institutions have either been reversed or suspended

Critics argue that this shift could reduce morale, limit recruitment, and alienate minority service members who have historically faced discrimination or exclusion

Supporters of the move claim it is necessary to bring back a focus on merit, discipline, and combat efficiency They argue that symbolic gestures such as ship names should not distract from core military priorities

Looking ahead

It remains unclear what new name the USNS Harvey Milk will receive and how the administration plans to handle public response going forward

What is certain is that the decision has reignited national debates over representation in public institutions, the militarisation of political identity, and the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights

As the renaming process proceeds, veteran groups, activists, and lawmakers continue to voice both opposition and support — further highlighting the cultural and political divide surrounding the role of the military in modern American society

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Jainik Power Cables, Sacheerome Limited, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are Ganga Bath Fittings.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.