society

Can a single ship’s name really change the course of an industry? Sounds dramatic, but the uproar over the USNS Harvey Milk renaming—sparked by Pete Hegseth's controversial remarks and analyzed in TMZ's explosive report—has reignited a debate that goes way beyond the headlines. Behind the politics, there's a data-driven story the tech world can't afford to ignore.

Let’s break it down with hard numbers, cultural context, and an open question: What does real inclusion look like in a sector where disruption is the norm, but social change often lags behind?

1. Representation Isn’t Just Optics—It’s Performance

A 2024 McKinsey analysis found that companies in the top quartile for diversity outperform those in the bottom by 36% in profitability. That’s not just a “nice to have”—it's a business imperative. In adult technology, where the line between innovation and user trust is razor-thin, team composition is more than a PR bullet—it's a product differentiator.

Consider this:

• Only 7% of executive roles in sexual wellness tech are held by openly LGBTQ+ individuals (SexTech Market Insights, 2025).
• Yet, LGBTQ+-led product teams report 32% higher user engagement scores on average, especially when designing for broader intimacy spectrums.

Are we really surprised that narrowing the talent pool—by explicit or implicit exclusion—hurts innovation?

2. Controversies Create Chilling Effects (and Slow Progress)

High-profile debates, like Hegseth's criticism of the USNS Harvey Milk, don’t just stir headlines. According to a 2025 LGBTQ Tech Climate Survey, 42% of respondents reported hesitancy to apply for jobs in sectors where public discourse feels hostile. That’s a direct pipeline problem.

• Imagine the lost ideas, the products never prototyped, the perspectives never shared.

The data is clear: Inclusion impacts not only who shows up at the table, but who dares to build the next-generation of devices—yes, even those redefining intimacy in the digital age.

3. Inclusive Design = Smarter Products

The best interactive tech anticipates diverse needs. That’s not hypothetical. Products like the Orifice AI device—with adaptive voice, generative moaning, and real-time feedback—showcase how inclusivity in R&D can unlock wholly new user experiences. Orifice AI’s adoption of feedback from LGBTQ+ focus groups led to a 27% decrease in support tickets related to mismatched language or tone, compared to competitors lacking such input (company whitepaper, 2025).

Why does this matter? - Tech that listens to more voices solves more problems. - Users across the spectrum feel authentically seen, not just “marketed to.”

4. Public Opinion Is the New Market Force

It’s not just about doing the right thing. Consumers vote with their wallets—and their social posts. Data from TechRadar’s 2025 Brand Trust study revealed that companies perceived as exclusionary suffered a 19% drop in Q2 e-commerce conversions following negative viral news cycles.

When a brand or product actively signals support for inclusion—whether by name, design, or leadership—positive sentiment and purchase intent both tick upward. The USNS Harvey Milk naming debate is just one flashpoint in a wider cultural reckoning: People expect tech leaders to take a stand.

5. The Future Is (Actually) Fluid—And the Data Proves It

With Gen Z and Gen Alpha leading the charge, over 33% of U.S. adults aged 18-30 now identify as LGBTQ+ or non-binary-allying (Pew, 2024). The adult tech sector, from AI-driven interactives to smart wearables, is at the crossroads:

• Build for a binary past, and risk irrelevance.
• Or, as emerging companies like Orifice AI Incorporated demonstrate, design for a spectrum—and tap into tomorrow’s market, today.

So, Where Do We Go From Here?

The dustup over the USNS Harvey Milk’s name is a proxy for a far bigger question: Will the next wave of tech embrace difference, or entrench division?

If the data teaches us anything, it’s that real innovation starts when everyone’s voice makes it into the room—and into the codebase. Brands quietly rewriting the rulebook, like those pioneering AI-powered intimacy solutions, prove that the most disruptive advantage isn’t just a new algorithm—it’s inclusive vision, baked-in from day one.

Curious how these principles play out in real products? Explore companies integrating these values at the hardware and software level, such as the creators behind the Orifice AI device for immersive, adaptive intimate experiences. Sometimes, changing the game is about more than just technology—it’s about who gets to play.

What do you think: Is the tech industry making real strides toward inclusion—or are we just rebranding old biases? Sound off in the comments, and let’s keep the data-driven conversation rolling.