DCS: anita bryant

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In January 2025, when the announcement of Anita Bryant’s death was made public (nearly a month after the actual occurrence), most people thought that she had already been dead for a long time. That’s because her career died in the late 1970s.

Anita Bryant enjoyed a lot of success in the late 50s and early 60s. She released a number of popular albums and her takes on the songs “Paper Roses” and “Till There Was You” were certified gold. She accompanied comedian Bob Hope on USO tours of Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Medallion by the National Guard for outstanding service by an entertainer. Anita was a frequent guest on television variety shows and her nightclub performances drew large crowds.

In the 1960s and 70s, Anita was the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission. She sang “Come to the Florida Sunshine Tree” (written by Disney songwriters Robert and Richard Sherman) in commercials featuring the Disney-designed Florida Orange Bird. Anita hoisting a big ol’ glass of orange juice while reminding everyone “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine” was a ubiquitous image in 60s & 70s television advertising. In addition to orange juice, Anita shilled for Coca-Cola, Holiday Inn, Kraft and Tupperware. She sang at Super Bowl V, as well as at the funeral of President Lyndon Johnson. She also co-hosted the Orange Bowl Parade for almost a decade.

Then the proverbial shit hit the fan.

In 1977, Dade County, Florida passed an ordinance that prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. An outraged Anita Bryant formed the Save Our Children Coalition and tirelessly campaigned to repeal the ordinance. At public rallies, she warned of homosexuals “recruiting” unsuspecting children and “risks of molestation if homosexuals are allowed to teach our children.” Sadly, the Anita Bryant-led campaign was the first organized opposition to gay rights that spread across the nation.

In 1977, Florida approved a measure to ban gay adoption. It was an early victory for Anita’s campaign. (It was repealed thirty years later as unconstitutional.) At an October 1977 rally, Anita spoke passionately, noting repeatedly, that she “loves homosexuals, but hates their sin.” Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, gay activist Thom Higgins slammed a pie in Anita’s face as she stood at the podium. Speaking through a face full of broken crust and whipped topping, Anita snidely quipped “At least it’s a fruit pie,” before bursting into tears.

Gay activists, with the vocal support from a number of celebrities, launched a nationwide boycott of Florida orange juice. Gay bars all over the country stopped serving screwdrivers, substituting vodka and apple juice, dubbed the “Anita Bryant Cocktail,” with proceeds from the concoction going towards funding their fight against Anita’s agenda. Anti-Anita buttons, bumper stickers, and T-shirts began to pop up all over. Anita was a regular target of ridicule from Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, a slew of sitcoms and other comedians.  Anita’s rallies and live appearances were picketed.

Anita continued to rally for the repeal of local anti-discrimination ordinances. Liberal organizations, with the support of California Governor Jerry Brown and Presidents Carter, Ford and even Reagan, raised awareness and ultimately defeated Anita’s efforts.

By 1978, Anita’s life and career was a shambles. She was dropped from consideration by the Singer Corporation as a product spokesperson. Other companies which employed Anita as a spokesperson ended their contracts. She opened Anita Bryant’s Music Mansion in Branson, Missouri to miserable results. Her show, combining songs from her musical catalog with preaching of her fundamental Christian belief, was not popular. She could not meet payroll and creditors went unpaid. Anita filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Another failed musical venture in Arkansas ended in bankruptcy in that state as well, with debts in excess of $172,000.

In 2021, after coming out on her 21st birthday, Sarah Green, Anita Bryant’s granddaughter, married a woman.

Anita Bryant passed away in December 2024. She said she never regretted what she did.

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