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Sunday, August 21, 2016

Navy names ship after gay rights advocate Harvey Milk

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy is naming a ship in honor of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, who served in the Navy for four years before he began a career in San Francisco city government.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Tuesday that Milk displayed tremendous courage fighting for the rights of the LGBT community. The ship is one of a new fleet of replenishment oilers that will be built in San Diego.

Milk’s career as a Navy officer, however, ended with an “other than honorable” discharge, due to allegations of fraternization with enlisted personnel.

Some argue that Milk was forced out of the military because he was gay. A defense official said Tuesday that Milk accepted the other than honorable discharge to avoid possible disciplinary action.

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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Other than his mental problems, what did he do to earn naming rights of a Navy ship?

Anonymous said...

Good for the navy.

Anonymous said...

An "oiler," how appropriate.

Anonymous said...

This sailor supports it.

Anonymous said...

1:36 troll.

Anonymous said...

This is ok and a statue of Michael Phelps is not? You have to be kidding me right???

Anonymous said...

This country is going straight to hell.

Anonymous said...

He was a gay guy who "rescued" young men and then discarded them as their bodies matured.

Did he do some great things for the LGBT community? Yes.
But couldn't we have found someone less icky to name a ship after?

Anonymous said...

Well, he was a civil rights leader. He is an inspiration to the gay community. Was one of the first openly gay politicians who fought for the civil rights of the gay community. He was assassinated because of his fight for his communities rights, and he won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I'd say there isn't a reason NOT to honor him by naming a vessel after him. Unless, someone can show to the contrary?

Anonymous said...

Name a boat after every fireman and policeman that ran into the twin towers when everyone else was running out.

Anonymous said...

It puts a new spin on what the Navy calls a "milk run".

Anonymous said...

For over 100 years the Navy has had certain protocols for naming ships but none include civil rights leaders or queers.

Anonymous said...

It's a "Rainbow Oiler" you silly.

Anonymous said...

Well, now they need to put all the gay servicemen on that ship and let them float away.

Anonymous said...

Like i said last time its fits. If you are your not familiar with Navy oilers. They refuel other ships with long phallic looking proturbrances on long hose that expel fuel into warships via a female receptacle.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that all of the crew will be proud to serve.

Anonymous said...

I'm interested in seeing what the ship's logo will look like.

Anonymous said...


What a slap in the face to all current and previous sailors who earned Honorable Discharges. Milk didn't and as an officer was expected to maintain an even higher level of behavior. Pretty clear he was 'cruising' in port and at sea.

Feel good revisionist historians who are giddy about his civilian life should look at his service record and compare his abuse of position to our view of teachers, bosses, or clergy taking advantage of their rank.

Secretary Mabus should be keelhauled.

Anonymous said...

Remember, this is the OBAMA world... ANYTHING goes.

Anonymous said...

They had to do away with the cannons and guns to make room for all the extra bathrooms.

Anonymous said...


OMG!!!!

Anonymous said...

Forget the gray steel of the Navy, paint it the rainbow colors so our enemies can laugh their butts off.