Remembering Anita Bryant: A Complicated Legacy

Anita Bryant, the Grammy-nominated singer and prominent figure in the anti-gay rights movement, passed away at the age of 84 on December 16, 2023. Her family confirmed that she succumbed to cancer at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Known for her music career in the 1960s and 70s, Bryant’s later years were marked by controversial activism that redefined her legacy and led to significant cultural repercussions.

Early Life and Music Career

Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Anita Bryant showcased her musical talents from an early age, performing publicly by the age of six. With a wholesome image, she launched into the spotlight as the Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant winner in 1958, subsequently becoming the second runner-up in the 1959 Miss America pageant. Her debut album was released in 1959, featuring popular songs such as Till There Was You and Paper Roses, which garnered her a spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bryant also gained fame through performances at both Republican and Democratic national conventions and even entertained at the White House during President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration. Her engagement as the spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission helped popularize the phrase: “Breakfast without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.”

Shift to Activism

From the late 1970s, however, Bryant’s public persona shifted dramatically as she became an outspoken opponent of gay rights. She spearheaded the Save Our Children campaign, aiming to repeal a Dade County ordinance that protected LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. This campaign was spurred by her belief in traditional values, asserting that the ordinance violated both state law and faith-based principles. Bryant’s rise as an anti-LGBTQ+ activist was an unexpected turn for someone with such a celebrated background in the arts.

Her views were incendiary and led to intense backlash, including protests and boycotts, notably from the LGBTQ+ community, who led a nationwide boycott of Florida orange juice. This protest resulted in many bars replacing screwdriver cocktails—made with orange juice and vodka—with alternative mixtures, humorously dubbed the Anita Bryant cocktail.

In a 1978 interview with Playboy magazine, Bryant expressed her disapproval of the LGBTQ+ community, framing her commentary with outdated stereotypes and misconceptions that have unfortunately echoed through subsequent generations of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. By 1980, her public appearances and career suffered dramatically, leading to the loss of numerous concert bookings and endorsements, including her role with the Florida Citrus Commission.

Personal Life and Later Years

Bryant's personal life was marked by her marriage to disc jockey Bob Green, which ended in divorce around the same time she was dropped by the citrus commission. In 1990, she married Charles Dry, a childhood sweetheart, and the couple attempted to reignite her career, but they faced minimal success in reviving her public image.

In pop culture, Bryant's complex legacy has not gone unnoticed. She was the subject of productions including the 2016 play Anita Bryant’s Playboy Interview and the 2018 musical The Loneliest Girl in the World, great reminders of her polarizing presence in American culture. A biopic about her life was reportedly in the works, showcasing the enduring interest in her narrative.

Bryant's dual legacy—a celebrated singer with a knack for catchy melodies and a contentious activist whose views sparked significant backlash—serves as a reminder of the complexities that often define public figures. She is survived by her children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren, who remember her as both a talented performer and a deeply controversial figure.

Conclusion

The life of Anita Bryant reflects a broader societal struggle regarding LGBTQ+ rights and the challenges of navigating personal beliefs in the public sphere. As we remember her contributions to music and the impact of her activism, we are invited to reflect on the lessons learned from her complex legacy. The conversations about acceptance and rights that her story ignites serve as a reminder of the ongoing push for equality in a diverse society.