Hope Speech

While longer versions of Milk’s “Hope” speech exist, the final, most polished version is a brief but impassioned call for LGBTQ+ Pride in Action—for openness in a culture that silenced LGBTQ+ voices both physically and legally. This version of the speech lacks some of the specific political rhetoric Milk used in earlier versions to announce his candidacy for city supervisor. However, it features a honed use of pathos (emotional appeals), incorporating humor and personal narrative to remind listeners what they are fighting for. Milk’s call at the end of the speech for his audience to take up the mantle of hope transforms the speech from a political effort to a declaration of queer power and pride.

Milk’s primary audience for this version of the speech was LGBTQ+ people, as it was presented on Gay Pride Day in San Francisco. He discusses LGBTQ+ issues that would have been relevant and timely for his audience and uses the pronoun “us” for dramatic effect, identifying with his audience and drawing an implicit contrast with a “them”: those who oppose the movement. This contrast further defines his audience: Beyond those currently listening to him, this speech is aimed at all marginalized people and those who care about equal rights.