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Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Who was gay rights activist Harvey Milk?
Slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk was a political appointee for the city of San Francisco, where he enacted policy geared toward improving conditions for LGBTQ community members and working mothers. Milk was born in New York to Jewish parents who both served in the Navy during World War I, according to the Milk Foundation. He attended New York State College for Teachers (now State University of New York) where he became well known for a column in the student newspaper addressing diversity within the country's armed forces before enlisting in the Navy in 1951. Milk served for four years, but he ultimately resigned over questions about his sexual orientation, as reported by the foundation. However, he would go on to create legislation that supported LGBTQ openness in different facets of professional and private life during his tenure as a business owner and local official in California. Milk moved to the West Coast in 1972, beginning a career as a camera store owner and operator on Castro Street. It was after two gay men were denied the opportunity to open shop in the area that Milk created the Castro Village Association, which became one of the nation's first organizations of predominantly LGBTQ businesses. In 1975, Milk became the first openly gay city commissioner in the United States after being appointed to the San Francisco Board of Permit Appeals. He then went on to be elected as the San Francisco city-county supervisor in 1978 after three bids; he served with former Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who went on to become the city's mayor. In one year, he helped defeat California ballot initiative Proposition 6, which would have banned openly gay individuals from working as public school teachers. He also promoted the conversion of military facilities into affordable housing alongside tax reform and the promotion of LGBTQ rights in speeches. 'We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truths about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I'm going to talk about it,' he said during one speech, as transcribed by the foundation. 'And I want you to talk about it. You must come out,' he added. In November 1978, Milk was assassinated by a former city supervisor alongside Mayor George Moscone. Feinstein was present at the time and was the one to find Milk's body. 'I was the one that found Supervisor Milk's body, and I was the one to put a finger in a bullet hole, trying to get a pulse,' she said in 2013. His killer was acquitted of murder charges but sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter. Milk was honored by the U.S. Navy in 2021, when the branch announced it would name one of its oil tankers in his honor. However, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered that his name be removed from the ship, according to reports from USA Today. 'Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos,' chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell previously said in a statement to The Hill when asked about potential renaming. 'Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete.' The move comes months after President Trump signed a January executive order that issued guidelines banning gender identity and expanded pronoun usage from military service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- General
- The Hill
Who was gay rights activist Harvey Milk?
Slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk was a political appointee for the city of San Francisco, where he enacted policy geared towards improving conditions for LGBTQ community members and working mothers. Harvey was born in New York to Jewish parents who both served in the Navy during World War I, according to the Milk Foundation. He attended New York State College for Teachers (now State University of New York) where he became well known for a column in the student newspaper addressing diversity within the country's armed forces before enlisting in the Navy in 1951. Milk served for four years, but ultimately resigned over questions about his sexual orientation, as reported by the foundation. However, he would go on to create legislation that supported LGBTQ openness in different facets of professional and private life during his tenure as a business owner and local official in California. Milk moved to the West Coast in 1972, beginning a career as a camera store owner and operator on Castro Street. It was after two gay men were denied the opportunity to open shop in the area that Milk created the Castro Village Association, which became one of the nation's first organizations of predominantly LGBTQ businesses. In 1975, Milk became the first openly gay city commissioner in the United States after being appointed to the Board of Permits. He then went on to be elected as the San Francisco City-County Supervisor in 1978 after three bids, which he on served with former senator Dianne Feinstein, who went on to become the city's mayor. In one year, he helped defeat California ballot initiative Proposition 6, which would have banned openly gay individuals from working as public school teachers. He also promoted the conversion of military facilities into affordable housing alongside tax reform and the promotion of LGBTQ rights in speeches. 'We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truths about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I'm going to talk about it,' he said during one speech, as transcribed by the foundation. 'And I want you to talk about it. You must come out,' he added. In November of 1978, Milk was assassinated by a former city supervisor alongside Mayor George Moscone. Feinstein was present at the time and was the one to find Milk's body. 'I was the one that found Supervisor Milk's body, and I was the one to put a finger in a bullet hole, trying to get a pulse,' she said in 2013. His killer was acquitted of murder charges but sentenced to eight years in prison for manslaughter. Milk was honored by the U.S. Navy in 2021, when the branch announced it would name one of its oil tankers in his honor. However, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered that his name be removed from the ship, according to reports from USA Today. 'Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos,' Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell previously said in a statement to The Hill when asked about potential renaming. 'Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete.' The move comes months after President Trump issued a January executive order that issued guidelines banning gender identity and expanded pronoun usage from military service.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
USNS Harvey Milk renaming: Who was Harvey Milk and why does the US Navy want a new name?
Why Now? Live Events Who Was Harvey Milk? A Ship Named for Equality Why the Renaming Is Controversial What Happens Next? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a highly controversial move, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk—a decision that comes during Pride Month and is already drawing fierce to U.S. officials, Navy Secretary John Phelan has formed a small team tasked with selecting a new name for the John Lewis-class replenishment oiler. While no replacement name has been confirmed, an official announcement is expected on June 13 aboard the historic USS Constitution.A memo from the Secretary of the Navy's office outlines that the renaming is part of a broader effort to 'reestablish the warrior culture' within the military. The directive aligns with the priorities of President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Navy Secretary Phelan—signaling a departure from past efforts to honor civil rights leaders through military naming have pointed to the timing—during Pride Month—as a symbolic rollback of the military's recognition of LGBTQ+ Milk was a groundbreaking civil rights leader and the first openly gay elected official in California. Born in 1930 in Woodmere, New York, Milk served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Despite his honorable service, he was discharged due to his sexual orientation, reflecting the era's discriminatory moving to San Francisco in 1972, Milk became a central figure in the city's LGBTQ+ movement. He was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming one of the first openly gay officials in U.S. history. Milk co-sponsored pioneering legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and led the successful fight against Proposition 6, which aimed to bar gay individuals from teaching in public was tragically assassinated in 1978 alongside Mayor George Moscone. His legacy has since been celebrated nationwide: he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2009, and California observes May 22 as Harvey Milk 2016, the U.S. Navy announced it would honor Milk by naming a ship after him—the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206). Part of the John Lewis class of ships named after civil rights icons, the decision aimed to acknowledge Milk's legacy and promote inclusivity within the armed forces. The vessel was christened in 2021 and became the first Navy ship named after an openly gay decision to strip the ship of Milk's name has sparked widespread criticism. Political leaders such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Senator Scott Wiener have condemned the move as an erasure of LGBTQ+ history and a regressive step for civil view the renaming as emblematic of broader efforts under the Trump administration to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. From banning transgender individuals from serving in the military to reversing protections in healthcare, housing, and education, the administration has faced repeated criticism from advocacy groups for targeting marginalized and LGBTQ+ organizations argue that the Navy's decision sends a chilling message—particularly during a month meant to celebrate inclusion and equality. By removing Milk's name from the ship, critics say the Pentagon is prioritizing ideology over historical recognition and symbolic of now, the Navy has not released the new name for the vessel. The final decision is expected to be announced in mid-June. Until then, the debate surrounding the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk continues to reflect the broader cultural and political divide over how the military honors its past—and who it chooses to remember.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Who was Harvey Milk? Why did Pete Hegseth order the US Navy to 'scrub off' his name from a ship that honored him?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the US Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, a highly rare move that comes amid Pride Month and has already drawn sharp criticism. As per the US officials, Navy Secretary John Phelan put together a small team to rename the replenishment John Lewis-class oiler, and a new name is expected this month. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the next name had not yet been chosen. What happened? A memo from the Secretary of the Navy's office outlined rollout plans for the name change, which is expected to be publicly announced on June 13 aboard the USS Constitution. The renaming is reportedly intended to 'align with the president and SECDEF objectives and SECNAV priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture,' referencing priorities held by President Donald Trump, Hegseth, and Phelan. However, no new name has yet been announced for the vessel. Who was Harvey Milk? Harvey Milk was a pioneering civil rights activist and the first openly gay elected official in California. Born in 1930 in Woodmere, New York, he served in the US Navy during the Korean War. After being discharged due to his sexual orientation, Milk moved to San Francisco in 1972, where he opened a camera shop on Castro Street, the heart of the city's LGBTQ+ community. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Los jubilados nacidos antes del 1970 tienen derecho a estos nuevos aparatos acústicos Top Audifonos Undo His shop became a gathering place for activists, and Milk quickly emerged as a charismatic leader advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In 1973, Milk ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors but was defeated. However, he continued his activism, co-founding the Castro Village Association and launching the inaugural Castro Street Fair in 1974. He also forged alliances with unions, notably supporting a boycott of Coors beer, which led to the company hiring more gay drivers. These efforts earned him the nickname "The Mayor of Castro Street. " In 1977, Milk was elected to the Board of Supervisors, becoming one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. During his brief time in office, he co-sponsored a groundbreaking ordinance that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and public accommodations. He also led the successful campaign against Proposition 6, a 1978 ballot initiative that sought to ban gay teachers and their supporters from working in California schools. Tragically, in November 1978, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated in San Francisco City Hall by Dan White, a disgruntled former supervisor. Milk's death galvanized the LGBTQ+ community and led to widespread mourning and activism. In recognition of his contributions, Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. California declared his birthday, May 22, Harvey Milk Day, and numerous schools, streets, and public spaces have been named in his honor. Milk served as a diving officer in the Navy during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. Despite his honorable service, he was discharged due to his sexual orientation, reflecting the discriminatory policies of the time. In 2016, the Navy announced plans to name a ship in his honor as part of a broader initiative to name vessels after civil rights icons. The ship, USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206), was officially named in a ceremony in San Francisco on August 16, 2016. This decision was part of the John Lewis class of ships, named after prominent figures in the civil rights movement, including John Lewis, Earl Warren, and Sojourner Truth. The naming aimed to recognize Milk's contributions to both the military and the LGBTQ+ community, symbolizing a commitment to diversity and inclusion within the armed forces. The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk: This month, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the renaming of the US Navy's replenishment oiler, the USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206). This decision was part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to "reestablish the warrior culture" within the military by removing names associated with diversity and inclusion efforts. The renaming was reportedly timed to coincide with Pride Month, a move that has sparked significant controversy. The USNS Harvey Milk was christened in 2021 to honor Milk's contributions to both the military and the LGBTQ+ community. It was the first US Navy ship named after an openly gay person. The renaming has been met with criticism from various political figures, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Senator Scott Wiener, who view the action as an erasure of civil rights history and a setback for LGBTQ+ recognition. Why is the decision being seen as controversial? The decision to rename the USNS Harvey Milk not only undermines the Navy's commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially during Pride Month, but also reflects a broader trend of revising military history to exclude contributions from marginalized groups. In simpler words, the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk is seen as a symbolic act that diminishes the significance of LGBTQ+ representation in the military. The Donald Trump administration's stance on LGBTQ+ rights has been characterized by a series of policy decisions and actions that have been widely perceived as regressive by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights organizations. From initiating several measures to dismantle protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, including healthcare, education, housing, and employment, to rolling back protections for transgender students in public schools – the Trump administration has done it all with a stroke of a pen. During his first term, President Trump even announced a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, citing concerns over military readiness and unit cohesion. Although this policy was challenged in court and faced legal hurdles, it represented a significant setback for transgender rights within the armed forces. Hegseth's order to rename the USNS Harvey Milk – that, too, during Pride Month – is being seen as a strong message in extension of the military service ban on the LGBTQ community, which indeed raises questions about the balance between honoring diverse contributions and adhering to traditional military ethos. US: Police held man naked while looking for teens
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
California lawmaker revives effort to end forced prison labor
A new California bill seeks to prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from forcing inmates to work. A similar measure, Proposition 6, would have banned the practice as well, but voters rejected it during the 2024 election. Introduced by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), AB 475 also calls on CDCR to develop a voluntary work program with regulations on assignments and wages. If the bill becomes law, starting Jan. 1, 2027, it will prohibit CDCR from requiring incarcerated individuals to work, with some exceptions. It would also require local governments to establish wages for county and city jail work programs through local ordinances, creating a state-mandated local program. Californians can receive up to $137 off their April utility bills. Here's how So far, the bill passed out of the public safety committee with a 6-1 vote. Two lawmakers, Assemblymembers James Ramos (D-San Bernardino) and Juan Alanis (R-Modesto), didn't vote. One lawmaker who opposed the bill, Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), said during the hearing that he took issue with associating the prison workforce with slavery. He also said he couldn't support a bill the public has already voted against, according to the Sacramento Bee. Wilson addressed those claims, saying that history would prove Lackey wrong regarding his assessment of the association between involuntary servitude in prisons and slavery. She also said that the language around Prop. 6 was confusing and recognized that there wasn't an overwhelming response of 'no.' About 53.3% of voters voted no on Prop. 6, while 46.6% voted yes. The bill will now face another committee review. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
