Sean Penn, the acclaimed Oscar-winning actor known for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in the 2008 biopic, alongside Milk's screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, has voiced strong objections against U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent decision to strip the name of the prominent gay rights figure from a U.S. Navy ship.

In a conversation with the Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, Black expressed his deep concern, stating, “This is yet another move to distract and to fuel the culture wars that create division. It’s meant to get us to react in ways that are self-centered so that we are further distanced from our brothers and sisters in equally important civil rights fights in this country. It’s divide and conquer.” Black's words underscore a growing frustration among advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, who see this decision as a regressive step in a climate that has seen considerable progress in recent years.

Penn, who earned his second Academy Award for his remarkable performance as Harvey Milk, added in a pointed email, “I’ve never before seen a Secretary of Defense so aggressively demote himself to the rank of Chief PETTY Officer.” His comment reflects a sense of disbelief and disappointment regarding the actions taken by Hegseth, which many see as undermining the legacy of Milk.

The order to rename the USNS Harvey Milk, which was commissioned in San Diego in 2021 to honor the influential gay rights advocate and Navy veteran, was revealed in an internal memorandum that was leaked on Tuesday. The spokesperson for the Pentagon confirmed that the ship's new name “will be announced after internal reviews are complete,” leaving many speculations about the motives behind this decision.

Significantly, the timing of this decision coincides with mid-June, a month that holds great importance as it is dedicated to celebrating Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. Sources indicate that the renaming was not accidental but rather a calculated move to align with the objectives of President Trump and the Secretary of Defense, reflecting a shift back towards a conservative military culture. According to the memo, this action is part of a broader effort to reinforce the “warrior culture” prized by Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan.

In a statement, the Pentagon emphasized, “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.” This declaration has sparked further debate about the implications of such a move on the military's inclusivity and the recognition of historical figures who fought for civil rights.

Responding to the situation, Black expressed his frustrations, labeling Hegseth as lacking intelligence and wisdom. “These guys are idiots,” Black remarked, expressing disbelief at Hegseth’s apparent inability to understand the significance of recognition for LGBTQ+ individuals. He further challenged the Defense Secretary, saying, “I would love to introduce him to some LGBTQ folks who are warriors who have had to be warriors our entire life just to live our lives openly as who we are.”

The film “Milk,” scripted by Black and directed by Gus Van Sant, chronicles Milk’s rise in politics in San Francisco, where he made history as the first openly gay man elected to public office, serving on the city’s board of supervisors. His groundbreaking political career was tragically cut short when he, alongside Mayor George Moscone, was assassinated by former city supervisor Dan White in 1978. White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and only served five years in prison, a verdict that sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Originally named during President Barack Obama’s administration in 2016, the USNS Harvey Milk symbolizes the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. The leaked memo also suggested that Phelan is contemplating renaming other vessels named after notable civil rights leaders such as Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, and Cesar Chavez, raising eyebrows about the broader implications of this initiative on the commemoration of civil rights achievements.

“Harvey Milk is an icon, a civil rights icon, and for good reason,” Black asserted. “That’s not going to change. Renaming a ship isn’t going to change that. If people are pissed off, good, be pissed off – but take the appropriate action. Do what Harvey Milk said we need to do, and it’s about bringing back together the coalition of the ‘us’-es that helps move the pendulum of progress forward. Stop the infighting and lock arms again. That’s what Harvey would say.”