Outrage on the High Seas: A Personal Betrayal of Our Values

In a move that has sparked widespread disbelief and anger, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Navy to strip the name of civil rights icon Harvey Milk from the USNS Harvey Milk, a replenishment oiler that has been a beacon of inclusivity since its naming in 2016.1 This deeply disrespectful decision, intentionally timed during Pride Month, is not just a bureaucratic reshuffle; it's a calculated erasure of LGBTQ+ history and a direct assault on the values of diversity and representation within our military, hitting particularly hard for those of us who served.2

For transgender veterans like myself, a Naval Academy graduate from 1984, and my dear friend Paula Neira, a fellow 1985 Naval Academy graduate whom I have yet to speak with, this is intensely personal. Paula, a Navy veteran and Clinical Program Director at Johns Hopkins, served as the ship's sponsor and had the honor of christening the USNS Harvey Milk on November 6, 2021, by breaking the wine bottle on its bow in a traditional naval ceremony. Her presence, along with the ship's name, marked a significant advancement for our community within the armed forces—a testament to progress after years of discriminatory policies. It appears Hegseth is specifically targeting the Naval Academy because of Paula and me. It feels very personal.

Photo taken at Chick & Ruth's in Annapolis Maryland. on December 9th, 2023. Left to right: Cassandra Williamson '84, our server at Chick & Ruth's, and Paula Neira '85

The USNS Harvey Milk was originally named in July 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, honoring Harvey Milk, a Navy veteran and one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States.4 Milk's legacy as a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and human dignity made him a fitting namesake for a vessel intended to represent progress and acceptance within the armed forces. The ship was christened in 2021 and proudly entered service in July 2023, symbolizing a significant step towards a more inclusive military, especially after the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."5 This naming was part of a broader initiative to honor prominent civil and human rights leaders, with other vessels named after figures like John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.6

Fast forward to June 3, 2025, and Hegseth's administration, barely settled into power, delivers this venomous blow. The stated rationale? To "[reestablish] the warrior culture" and ensure names align with the Commander-in-Chief's priorities. This hollow justification rings particularly false when considering that the announcement itself was deliberately set during Pride Month. It's a transparent act of provocation, aiming to undermine the very community that Harvey Milk represented and whose contributions to the military are being increasingly recognized. For many of us who served, including those like Paula who had to leave the Navy after coming to terms with their gender identity, this act is a direct slap in the face to our service and our identities.

This isn't about military readiness; it's about political posturing and a regressive worldview. Hegseth's directive also targets other ships named after civil rights leaders, revealing a disturbing pattern of hostility towards figures who championed equality and justice. This move sends a chilling message to LGBTQ+ service members and veterans: your history, your sacrifices, and your identity are disposable when they don't align with a narrow, outdated definition of "warrior ethos."

The stripping of the USNS Harvey Milk's name is a stain on the Navy's honor and a betrayal of the progress that has been made. It is an act of outrage that demands a strong condemnation and a reversal of this shameful decision. We must stand against this attempt to whitewash history and reaffirm that inclusivity strengthens, not weakens, our armed forces.

Sources & References:

• Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship

• Navy Set to Rename USNS Harvey Milk, Mulls New Names for Other Ships Named for Civil Rights Leaders

• Future USNS Harvey Milk Christened at General Dynamics NASSCO San Diego - Seapower

• Navy Ship Named For Harvey Milk Launches - SF Funcheap

• Navy christens oiler named after gay icon Milk - Bay Area Reporter

• Navy Launches Historic Ship Named for Harvey Milk - People.com

• USNS Harvey Milk - Wikipedia

• Navy to Christen Future USNS Harvey Milk

• The U.S. Navy has christened a ship named after slain gay rights leader Harvey Milk

• Navy names ship for LGBTQ leader Harvey Milk, almost 70 years after he was discharged

• Paula M. Neira - The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

• A path to authenticity - JHU Hub - Johns Hopkins University