Pete Hegseth is trying to erase Harvey Milk's legacy

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, formerly a Fox News host, recently announced that he is stripping the name Harvey Milk from the USNS Harvey Milk, an announcement specifically revealed in a jab at the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, Military.com reports.

This ship, the first to be named after a gay rights icon, was launched in 2021 when former President Joe Biden revealed its name. The ship is a replenishment oiler, providing fuel to other warships at sea.

It is not currently known what the ship will be renamed to. According to Military.com, its renaming will be announced on June 13. Reportedly, Hegseth instructed Navy Secretary John Phelan to rename it to keep with “warrior culture.”

This move was condemned by California State Senator Scott Weiner, who is gay. “This is absolutely shameful. Harvey Milk was a hero. He was a veteran who served our country. He died for our community. Brave LGBTQ veterans worked for years to achieve the naming of a ship for Harvey. Now Trump & Hegseth are wiping it away due to straight up bigotry. They’re determined to erase LGBTQ people from all aspects of public life.”

This comes at a time where the Trump administration is implementing unprecedented attacks against the queer community. While the military is notorious for attacking the civil rights of marginalized people domestically and abroad, this move is part of a broad signalling from the administration that they wish to ban the queer community from public life, such as when Trump banned trans people from the military. Meanwhile, even some Democratic members of the government are attacking the community during Pride.

Hegseth gained headlines in recent months after he added journalists and personal contacts to sensitive military group chats coordinating strikes on Yemen, which have killed countless civilians.

Sign up for the INTO newsletter and get your twice-weekly dose of stories that shape the queer experience, culture, and lifestyle.

Culture, unfiltered

Boebert attacks journalists for covering House Ethics complaint alleging affairs with staffers

First out gay Olympic judoka speaks on brutal assault that shattered his jaw and Olympic hopes

Moulton’s Senate primary loss raises questions about Democratic strategy on trans rights

Massie’s push to release Epstein files puts Johnson in a tight spot before midterms

7 ways small businesses can support the LGBTQ+ community year-round

College athlete’s short shorts challenge the double standard behind Shane Gillis’s gym joke

Oregon settlement allows Christian adoptive applicant to bypass LGBTQ+ affirmation requirement

Tr*mp’s handsy moment on the golf course has the internet talking

A soaked tennis player reminds the gays what jockstraps were actually made for

Gay Big Brother contestant’s marriage to far-right former MP ignites backlash