Hope Speech

The California Democratic Council (currently CalDC, formerly CDC) is a nonprofit established at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in 1953 with the intention of unifying grassroot clubs and committees to ensure Democratic voices reach the state government. They presently work to ensure clubs and committees are able to grow, develop, and have their voices heard regardless of their location within the state. The CDC oversaw California’s movement to the left of the political spectrum, which Milk predicted. They are one of the few, if not the only, organizations to focus on supporting rural Democratic constituents and ensuring their voices reach the state and national level. At the time of Milk’s speech, the CDC—which now goes by CalDC—was a vital part of Democratic growth in California and a powerful force in elections.

The CDC as an organization is unique, focused on coordinating small groups into a cohesive whole. Milk was an active supporter of individual rights of expression, especially at the government level, making the CDC an important part of his activism. At several points in the speech, Milk reminds the audience to put pressure on the CDC to support certain ideas. The CDC’s goal of unifying and bringing light to otherwise unheard Democrat voices was a necessity for Milk’s activism, if not his political campaign, as many of the clubs they sponsored were from minorities or disenfranchised groups in Republican parts of the state.

Although Milk invokes the CDC several times, the speech stays focused on the power of the individual throughout. The CDC is a collection of organizations that represent the individual; while they were able to influence the direction of Democratic politics in California, Milk recognizes they have limited scope to support LGBTQ+ rights. The speech, therefore, serves more to inspire the individual to seek out their own power, which can be more practically supported through organizations such as the CDC.

The terminology for the act of coming out of the closet, or becoming open about one’s sexual or gender identity, is unclear. “Coming out” references a Victorian practice when a girl would come of age by entering society formally as a woman, while the “closet” may reference leaving behind one’s orientation as a shameful thing—or something that should remain hidden, like a skeleton in the closet. Regardless, this language was highly recognizable to gay people, and Milk uses language that would have been familiar to his audience.

Prior to Milk’s speech, a local government ordinance in Dade County, Florida protecting people from discrimination based on orientation had been overthrown. The repeal of the bill passed by 70%, a much larger margin than predicted. This was the first active, organized opposition to the gay rights movement and was met with grief and frustration by the gay community across the United States. Milk references it throughout his speech as one of the many reasons why hope and openness is needed.

This day is held annually on June 28, the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. It is typically celebrated with pride parades, where openly LGBTQ+ people march in open declaration of their sexual and gender orientation. Milk references Gay Pride Day in contrast with the tragedy of a man’s murder that happened “three days before” (4). By using the contrast of triumph and tragedy, Milk reminds his audience of their goal in pursuing greater representation.

LGBTQ+ pride is not without critics, even within the community. In the 21st century, many argue that the proliferation of Pride Month as an opportunity for corporations to promote queer-themed products—in what is termed “rainbow capitalism”—has polluted the original meaning of Gay Pride Day.

This tax bill was passed soon before Milk’s death in 1978 and limited the tax rate on real estate to 1%. Milk does not refer to it in specific terms but calls it “the most racist issue on the ballot” (3). While he refers to how the bill would affect employment, Milk was likely also against Jarvis-Gann for the effect it would have on local governments. The bill would force local governments to rely more on the state for funding, potentially putting minority-heavy neighborhoods at risk if the state government leaned to the right and limited local fiscal freedom.

Milk argues that closeted gay people are in limbo (4). While a common term for occupying an indeterminate state, it is derived from Dante’s Inferno. Sinners in Dante’s Inferno who did not commit a grave enough sin to deserve punishment but did not receive salvation were condemned to Limbo, where they existed without meaning or purpose. Milk’s use of this term, while casual, suggests that gay people must come out to gain societal recognition and meaning.

Pablum refers to bland or meaningless entertainment; it is connected to the word “pap,” which connotes tasteless food intended for children. When he says that gay elected officials should not accept pablum (4), Milk does not use the typical definition of entertainment, but adapts it for a political sphere by redefining the word as compromise. In essence, gay people who wish to stand for their community should not compromise their ideals or accept mediocrity to gain acceptance. Rather, they should promote themselves honestly and openly and seek out the most resolute form of political gain.

Milk references the South African consulate to talk about the issue of apartheid, a form of systemic racism in which black South Africans were legally segregated and mistreated. By raising the issue of San Francisco’s connections to South Africa through the consulate and arguing for separation until apartheid is ended, Milk reminds his audience that politics, economics, and the rights of marginalized groups are inseparable, while also making his beliefs on issues of racial equality undeniably clear.