Boston: Council Denounces Renaming of Navy Ships

~ During the latest Council meeting, a resolution was passed denouncing the recent federal decision to rename several U.S. Navy ships, including the USNS Harvey Milk. The vessel was named in honor of Harvey Milk, a pioneering gay rights activist and Navy veteran.

The USNS Harvey Milk was given its name in 2021 to honor the legacy of Milk, who was the first openly gay elected official in California. As a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he fought for LGBTQ+ rights and helped pass legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, despite his service to his country, Milk was forced to resign from the U.S. Navy in 1955 due to his sexual orientation and received an "Other Than Honorable" discharge.

Council members expressed deep concern over the timing and motivation behind the renaming of these ships. They noted that it coincides with Pride Month and follows other controversial military policies targeting transgender service members. The resolution argues that removing these names erases the progress and representation gained by LGBTQ+ individuals and civil rights leaders within the armed forces.

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In addition to the USNS Harvey Milk, other ships under consideration for renaming include those named after Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, Lucy Stone, Medgar Evers, and Cesar Chavez – all figures widely recognized for their roles in advancing civil rights and social justice. These vessels are part of the John Lewis-class of replenishment oilers, which were originally named in 2016 by then-Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to reflect values of equality and inclusion in the military.

The Council is calling on the White House to reverse course and preserve the current ship names. They also reaffirm their commitment to defending the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and military families. The resolution serves as a reminder that these ship names represent not only individuals who have made significant contributions to society but also stand for the values of equality and inclusion within the military.

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