Anita Bryant, once a household name in America for her melodic voice and wholesome image, passed away on December 16, 2024, at the age of 84. Her death was confirmed by her son, William Green, who stated that she succumbed to cancer at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma.
While Bryant’s early life and career were filled with accolades and achievements, her later years were overshadowed by her controversial stance against LGBTQ+ rights.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Anita Jane Bryant grew up in a modest household but quickly rose to prominence. At just 18 years old, she was crowned Miss Oklahoma and became the second runner-up in the Miss America pageant. This early success opened doors for a flourishing career in music and entertainment.
Bryant achieved fame in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like Paper Roses and In My Little Corner of the World. She performed at high-profile events such as U.S.O. tours with Bob Hope and evangelical gatherings led by Billy Graham.
Her rendition of the national anthem at the Super Bowl and her performance of Battle Hymn of the Republic at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s funeral further cemented her status as an all-American icon.
Perhaps most famously, she became the face of the Florida Citrus Commission in a series of television commercials where she cheerfully proclaimed, “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”
The “Save Our Children” Campaign
Bryant’s career took a dramatic turn in 1977 when she launched the “Save Our Children” campaign. This movement aimed to repeal a Miami-Dade County ordinance that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Bryant argued that such laws would allow homosexual individuals to influence children negatively—a claim rooted in conservative Christian beliefs.
Her campaign successfully repealed the ordinance with a significant majority vote but came at a great personal cost. LGBTQ+ activists organized widespread boycotts against Florida orange juice products, which Bryant endorsed. The backlash was swift and severe: she lost sponsorship deals, concert bookings, and public favor.
Impact on LGBTQ+ Activism
While Bryant’s campaign dealt a temporary blow to LGBTQ+ rights in Miami-Dade County (the ordinance was reinstated in 1998), it inadvertently galvanized LGBTQ+ activism nationwide.
Figures like Harvey Milk emerged as vocal opponents of Bryant’s rhetoric, and grassroots movements gained momentum. The boycott of Florida orange juice became a symbol of economic resistance against discrimination.
Bryant’s actions also highlighted the growing influence of the Christian Right in American politics during the late 20th century. Her use of religious rhetoric to frame social issues set a precedent for future conservative campaigns.
Decline and Later Years
The fallout from her activism was devastating for Bryant’s career and personal life. By 1980, she had lost her role as spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission. Financial difficulties followed, including two bankruptcies.
Her marriage to Bob Green ended in divorce—a rare occurrence among evangelical Christians at the time—and further tarnished her reputation within conservative circles.
In her later years, Bryant retreated from public life but remained steadfast in her beliefs. She founded Anita Bryant Ministries International in Oklahoma City and continued to advocate for conservative Christian values.
Legacy: A Polarizing Figure
Anita Bryant’s legacy is one of stark contrasts. To some, she remains an emblem of traditional values and Christian conservatism; to others, she symbolizes intolerance and bigotry during a pivotal era for civil rights.
Her actions not only shaped public discourse around LGBTQ+ rights but also underscored the power of celebrity influence in political activism.
