HISTORIC: US Navy To Name Ship After LGBT Rights Icon, Harvey Milk

WASHINGTON - July 28, 2016 -- Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation's largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military families, praised the news that the U.S. Navy plans to name a ship after the LGBT rights icon and former Naval officer, Harvey Milk. According to a congressional notification signed by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus that was obtained by USNI News, the Navy will name a planned Military Sealift Command fleet oiler USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206).

"Harvey Milk is an American hero and an icon for LGBT equality, and it's phenomenal that the U.S. Navy is going to honor his legacy by naming a ship after him," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "Harvey Milk's incredible leadership in the face of adversity continues to inspire all of us in our ongoing fight for full LGBT equality. By breaking down barriers and fighting for the dignity and worth of all Americans, he left behind an example for all of us in his service to our nation, both in and out of uniform."

As reported by USNI News, "Milk came from a Navy family and commissioned in the service in 1951. He served has a diving officer in San Diego during the Korean War on the submarine rescue ship Kittiwake as a diving officer until 1955. Milk was honorably discharged from the service as a lieutenant junior grade. Following his service, Milk was elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors and was the first openly gay California politician to be elected to office. He was killed in office in 1978. When Milk was shot he was wearing his U.S. Navy Master Diver belt buckle."

The American Military Partner Association is the nation's largest resource and support network for the partners, spouses, families, and allies of America's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members and veterans.