Fact Check: U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk was the first Navy ship named for an openly gay person
What We Know
The claim that the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk is the first Navy ship named for an openly gay person is primarily based on the historical significance of the ship's namesake, Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk was a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist and the first openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The ship was commissioned in 2021 and is a part of the U.S. Navy's fleet replenishment oiler class, named to honor Milk's legacy and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community (source-1).
However, the assertion that it is the "first" Navy ship named for an openly gay person requires further scrutiny. Prior to the Harvey Milk, there were other military vessels that were named after individuals who were later recognized as LGBTQ+, but the openness of their sexual orientation at the time of naming is often debated. For example, the USS John Basilone was named after a Marine Corps hero, but there are claims that Basilone may have had relationships with men, though this is not universally accepted or documented (source-2).
Analysis
The claim's validity hinges on the definition of "openly gay." Harvey Milk is widely recognized as the first openly gay person to have a Navy ship named after him, as he was openly gay during his lifetime and his identity was a significant part of his public persona. This is a strong point in favor of the claim.
However, the historical context complicates the assertion. The U.S. Navy has a long history, and while many ships have been named after individuals with varying degrees of sexual orientation, the acknowledgment of those individuals as openly gay is often retrospective. The Navy has not officially recognized any other ship as being named after someone who was openly gay at the time of naming. Therefore, while the claim is strong, it is essential to recognize that historical interpretations can vary, and other names may emerge as discussions around LGBTQ+ representation in the military evolve (source-3).
Conclusion
Needs Research. While the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk is indeed named after an openly gay person and is celebrated for this reason, the claim that it is the "first" Navy ship to be named for an openly gay person requires additional research into historical naming conventions and the sexual orientations of individuals after whom other ships have been named. The complexity of historical narratives surrounding LGBTQ+ identities in military history suggests that further investigation is warranted to fully substantiate or refute the claim.
