Why gay rights icon Harvey Milk got a ship named after him

The US Navy has launched a ship named after civil rights leader and Navy veteran Harvey Milk.

USNS Harvey Milk is one of six oil tankers in the John Lewis class of ships named after people who fought for civil rights and human rights.

The Navy plans to procure a total of 20 John Lewis-class ships.

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• How Does A US Navy Ship Get Its Name?

So far only six names have been announced. In addition to Milk, they include slain politician Robert F. Kennedy, lawyer Earl Warren, women's rights activists Sojourner Truth and Lucy Stone, as well as John Lewis, the civil rights leader and politician who the class of ships is named after.

Names for Navy ships are officially chosen and by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with guidelines from Congress and input from the general public.

Naming ships after influential figures is one of the US Navy’s longest and proudest traditions.

Navy Ships hold a high status in American society as they are thought to exemplify the values of not only the Navy but the nation that the Navy strives to protect.

The ships communicate those values at every port of call and considering that the US has around 800 military bases around the world, that outreach goes considerably far.

We take a look at the life and legacy of Harvey Milk and examine why having a ship named after the gay rights icon is an important step in the direction of inclusivity and equality.

Born to be a leader?

Harvey Bernard Milk (born 22 May 1930, New York – died November 27, 1978, San Francisco, California) was the first openly gay elected male politician in United States history.

Harvey was born in a sleepy New York City suburb of Woodmere to Lithuanian Jewish immigrant parents. Today, the area has become the home to many Jewish families, with a vast array of synagogues in Woodmere and the surrounding towns.

It was Milk's grandfather who established the first synagogue for the community, perhaps inspiring the young Harvey to lead the way forward himself.

Reported to have been a bit of a class clown, with oversized feet and protruding ears, Harvey graduated with a major in maths from the New York State College for Teachers – a degree that would become useful during his short-lived career on Wall Street.

Wore a navy belt buckle until the day he died 

As a young graduate, Milk enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War, serving aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake (ASR-13).

In a serendipitous fate of irony, the 742-foot-long USNS Harvey Milk was launched from San Diego where Milk himself was stationed serving as a diving instructor.

In 1949, the Department of Defence anti-homosexuality regulations stated: "Homosexual personnel, irrespective of sex, should not be permitted to serve in any branch of the Armed Forces in any capacity, and prompt separation of known homosexuals from the Armed Forces is mandatory."

Since then it is estimated that around 100,000 veterans have been discharged from the US military for being LGBTQ+.

Serving while openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual was not allowed until 2010 when Congress abolished the discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy which prohibited LGBTQ+ service members from serving while being open about their sexuality.

The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy was passed in 1993 under President Clinton. It was a step forward and a step back at the same time for gay rights, as it allowed LGBTQ+ personnel to serve on the condition that they were secretive about their sexuality.

The discriminatory policy was overturned by Obama 17 years later. During that time, it is estimated that some 14,000 service members were discharged during the 'Don’t Ask, Don't Tell' era.

In 1951, when Milk enlisted in the Navy being homosexual was considered a shameful sackable offence, the stigma of which would follow the veteran onto civvy street.

Milk left the Navy four years after joining at the rank of lieutenant junior grade. He was questioned about his sexuality and decided to resign with a less than honourable discharge, rather than be court marshalled.

However, it does not seem like the veteran harboured resentment towards the military, which like many workplaces at the time, had a prejudicial attitude against gay people.

Despite strongly opposing the Vietnam War, Milk often proudly wore his Navy belt buckle, including on 27 November 1978, the day he was assassinated.

Fired from Wall Street for refusing to cut his hair

After Milk’s military career came to an unjust end, the veteran had a variety of jobs including teaching and working as an actuarial statistician for an insurance company.

Harvey was a skilled researcher at an investment firm, he would not follow advice and was boastful about his success. Ultimately, his heart was not in it and he was let off for refusing to tame his hair in line with the other office workers on Wall Street.

Like many other gay former service personnel, Milk found himself in San Francisco.

After facing homophobic abuse for opening a photography store with his partner, Milk founded the Castro Village Association, an organisation of gay-owned businesses – the first of its kind in the country.

The successful example of the Castro Village Association prompted queer businesses across the US to form similar organisations.

Harvey Milk knew he was going to be assassinated

Harvey Milk was the first out and proud elected official in the state of California. After winning his seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors he said: "It's not my victory, it's yours and yours and yours.

"If a gay can win, it means there is hope that the system can work for all minorities if we fight. We've given them hope."

Less than a year after making his winning speech, one of the first openly gay politicians in the country was assassinated. He was only 48 years old.

As a passionate politician who strived to represent all his voters and their issues no matter how big or small, Milk fought against gentrification, as well as creating the first mandate to fine dog owners who left their pet’s mess on the streets of San Francisco.

The Gay rights leader had a premonition that he might be shot and recorded several statements and wills before his death.

One of the tapes he left to be read in the event of his assassination, contains the powerful now-famous quote: "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

The activist and politician led by example. During his winning speech, he said: "I would like to see every gay doctor come out, every gay lawyer, every gay architect come out, stand up and let that world know.

"That would do more to end prejudice overnight than anybody would imagine. I urge them to do that, urge them to come out.

"Only that way will we start to achieve our rights."

Harvey understood that hatred towards minorities is grounded in fear.

The US Navy is the strongest and biggest in the world – having his name on the side of one of their ships sends a clear message, that there is no need to be fearful of staying in the closet – the might of the US Navy is behind you.

The name Harvey Milk is proudly displayed on street signs across America, as well as a Children's Centre and a Plaza in San Francisco.

Today, now that USNS Harvey Milk has been launched, a US Navy ship bears the name of the man who paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights in America and the rest of the world.