San Francisco's Pride celebrations ended last week with a somber tone as the LGBTQ+ community learned that a naval ship named after gay rights advocate Harvey Milk had been renamed by U.S. officials.
A spokesperson for the defense department stated that the decision aimed to avoid political influence in military naming practices. However, many in San Francisco disagreed.
For some, the move reflected a broader push against progressive ideals. Others saw it as an attempt to diminish LGBTQ+ representation and erase their historical contributions.
"On its own, it may not seem major, but alongside other actions, it carries a strong message," said Marc Stein, a history professor at San Francisco State University specializing in politics and social movements.
This decision follows previous challenges to Milk's legacy. In 2023, a school board in Southern California attempted to remove mentions of Milk from textbooks. Earlier, reports surfaced linking a conservative commentator to a group that honored Milk’s assassin.
Since the current administration took office, measures reducing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility have increased. These include policies affecting transgender military personnel and court rulings allowing students to avoid LGBTQ+-related educational materials.
Advocates worry that decades of progress since Milk's death in 1978 may be at risk.
"The renaming is part of a larger effort to reverse gains made over the past years," Stein added.
At a well-known gathering place in San Francisco’s Castro district, Pride events this year included discussions about the community's future. A bartender there shared concerns that marriage equality could be targeted next. "This feels like an attempt to remove us from history," they said.
Suzanne Ford, a leader in local Pride organizing, noted that longtime activists who witnessed earlier struggles were particularly uneasy.
Among them is Cleve Jones, who worked with Milk. "I remember when being gay was illegal," Jones remarked, reflecting on the ongoing fight for equality.
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