LGBTQ veterans and local elected officials expressed their opposition to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s renaming of a Naval vessel for the slain San Francisco gay supervisor and civil rights pioneer Harvey Milk, calling it an insult. They also emphasized the matter is a distraction from cuts and other issues at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Zoe Dunning, a lesbian and former naval commander who fought against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and was the only out person to have remained on active duty after coming out under the policy, was one of those who spoke during a news conference at Jane Warner Plaza in San Francisco’s Castro LGBTQ neighborhood June 6.

“This is an affront to every LGBTQ veteran and servicemember who wears the uniform or has worn the uniform,” said Dunni

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