In a powerful moment on Capitol Hill, U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen delivered an impassioned defense of Harvey Milk during a House Armed Services Committee hearing this week. Sorensen is the first out LGBTQ congressman from Illinois. His remarks came amid reports of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth planning to strip Milk’s name from a Navy ship. The USNS Harvey Milk, launched in 2021, honors the late gay rights pioneer and Navy veteran who served during the Korean War. Milk was forced out of the Navy in the 1950s with an “other than honorable” discharge due to his homosexuality. He later became California’s first out gay elected official and was assassinated in 1978.
Sorensen addressed Navy Secretary John Phelan directly, (VIDEO)
You will note that Phelan indicated that no decision has been finalized and that Hegseth wants military names to reflect Trump’s priorities, U.S. history, and the warrior ethos.
Sorensen also signed a letter, co-led by Reps. Jill Tokuda and Nancy Pelosi, joined by nearly 70 other Democrats, urged Hegseth to rescind the decision. The letter condemns the move as an insult to LGBTQ service members, especially during Pride Month.
