DEPARTMENT OF NAVY 2023 LGBTQI+ PRIDE MONTH

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SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF NAVY 2023 LGBTQI+ PRIDE MONTH//

RMKS/1.  The Department of the Navy (DON) joins the Nation in celebrating 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Pride 
Month during the month of June.  This year's widely discussed theme, "Peace, 
Love, Revolution," reflects the wave of societal transformation through which 
the LGBTQI+ community first found freedom and inherent pride, which they 
LGBTQI+ have further developed in the decades since.  It is through their 
efforts that we can further realize a culture across the DON where everyone 
is treated with dignity, respect, support, and equal opportunity.
Members of the DON's LGBTQI+ community have served from every base, ship, 
shipyard, and facility.  

Pride Month holds great importance to this community 
and their allies as it commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969 as a 
foundation for LGBTQI+ individuals to discover and celebrate their inherent 
pride.  In reflecting upon the difficulties of the past, I also want to 
highlight Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Harvey Milk, who regrettably had to 
mask his true identity before our beloved Navy forced him out through an 
"other than honorable" discharge.  LTJG Milk went on to become one of the 
first openly gay candidates elected to public office, before a former 
colleague assassinated him in 1978.  I will never forget sharing my 
understanding of the details of LTJG Milk's service with his nephew, Mr. 
Stuart Milk, and personally witnessing the christening of the oiler USNS 
HARVEY MILK on 6 November 2021.  

I am proud to know that HARVEY MILK joins 
the ranks of present and future USNSs SOJOURNER TRUTH, EARL WARREN, ROBERT F. 
KENNEDY, LUCY STONE, and JOHN LEWIS as beacons in every port of call for the 
diversity, equity, and inclusion that we value as a Department and Nation.
Today, LGBTQI+ Sailors, Marines, civilians, and contractors work alongside 
their colleagues to develop creative solutions to today's complex naval 
challenges, and they stand in defense of our Nation to execute our mission 
and defeat our adversaries.  

Together, we are molding the future of the DON 
and realizing the limitless possibilities of a collaborative, diverse, and 
inclusive workforce where everyone can live as their true self and defend our 
Nation from extremism and any threat.
I encourage you to learn more about the cultural heritage and contributions 
of the LGBTQI+ community to our Nation at 
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/lgbt.html.

2.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro Secretary of the Navy.//

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