US Navy Launches Ship Named Gay Rights Leader

WASHINGTON – Navy United States of America (USA) has launched a boat named a rights activist gay who was forced to resign from service because of his sexual orientation in the 1950s.

USNS Harvey Milk was launched in San Diego on Saturday in a ceremony attended by US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Milk’s nephew Stuart.

Speaking at the ceremony, Del Toro said that Milk was forced to cover up a very important part of his life during his time in the Navy was a mistake.

“For far too long, sailors like Lieutenant Milk have been forced into the shadows or, worse, forced out of our beloved Navy,” Del Toro said.

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“That injustice is part of the history of our Navy, but also the perseverance of all those who continue to serve in the face of injustice.” BBC, Sunday (7/11/2021).

It is one of six new ships named after a well-known US civil rights leader.

Other ships include former Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren and slain presidential candidate Robert Kennedy.

Milk served as a dive officer and lieutenant on the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake during the Korean War. But he was forced out of service after two weeks of questioning about his sexual orientation in 1955.

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