Anita Bryant, a former beauty queen, singer, and outspoken activist, passed away at the age of 84 on December 16, 2024.
Known for her controversial views on LGBTQ+ rights, Bryant’s life and career left a lasting impact on both entertainment and political landscapes.
The news of her passing was shared by her family through a statement on The Oklahoman website, though the cause of her death has not been revealed.
Rise to Fame
Born with a natural musical talent, Bryant’s voice captivated audiences from an early age.
By 12, she was already hosting her own local TV show, setting the stage for a successful entertainment career.
Her voice earned her three Grammy nominations, including two for Best Sacred Performance and one for Best Spiritual Performance.
In 1958, she became Miss Oklahoma, a title that helped propel her into the national spotlight.
Throughout the 1960s, Bryant built a name for herself with songs like Till There Was You and Paper Roses.
She performed for U.S. troops overseas with Bob Hope, entertained at the White House, and sang at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions, cementing her status as a well-known figure.
Spokesperson and Controversy
Bryant’s fame wasn’t just limited to music and pageants.
In the 1970s, she became the face of Florida orange juice, popularizing the famous slogan, “A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”
This association with Florida’s signature product made her a household name.
However, her career would take a darker turn in the same decade.
Controversial Activism
In the late 1970s, Bryant became a vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, spearheading the Save Our Children campaign.
This movement led to the successful repeal of a Miami-Dade County ordinance that protected LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.
Her public opposition was supported by figures like Reverend Jerry Falwell and was marked by harsh rhetoric, including calling the LGBTQ+ community “human garbage.”
Bryant’s activism sparked widespread protests, boycotts, and mockery.
LGBTQ+ activists targeted her, creating satirical T-shirts and even inventing a cocktail named after her that replaced orange juice with apple juice.
In one infamous incident, she was hit in the face with a pie during a press conference in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bryant’s response—”Well at least it’s a fruit pie”—highlighted her unshaken demeanor as she prayed for the protestor.
Impact on Career
Bryant’s opposition to LGBTQ+ rights had significant consequences for her career.
She was removed from a variety show due to her controversial political actions, which The New York Times described as a “career setback.”
She defended her stance by citing religious beliefs, arguing in a 1978 Playboy interview that she was fighting against “special privileges” that violated Florida’s state law and “God’s law.”
Her controversial beliefs also extended to supporting the Briggs Initiative, a 1978 California ballot proposition aimed at banning LGBTQ+ individuals from teaching in public schools.
The initiative ultimately failed, but Bryant’s involvement further fueled public debate about her stance.
A Complicated Legacy
In the years that followed, Bryant’s views on LGBTQ+ issues continued to shape her public persona.
In Florida, the ban on sexual discrimination she helped to overturn was reinstated in 1998.
She spent her later years in Oklahoma, where she led the Anita Bryant Ministries International.
Throughout her personal life, Bryant experienced both triumph and turmoil.
She was married to Bob Green for 20 years before divorcing in 1980. She later married Charlie Hobson Dry in 1990, who passed away earlier in 2024.
Bryant is survived by four children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.
Anita Bryant’s legacy remains a topic of debate—while her musical talents and contributions to entertainment are undeniable, her political activism has left a complex and divisive mark on history.
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