41. Send in the Clowns: Anita Bryant, John Briggs, & the Anti-Gay Christian Right

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For this episode, Leigh is joined once again by guest host Aubree Calvin, for a crossover episode with Southern Queeries talking about the rise of the anti-gay Christian right movement and homophobic legislation that swept the United States in the 1970s with Anita Bryant, Save Our Children, and the Briggs Initiative, whose proponents used “parental rights” language to justify their homophobia, in an eerily similar manner as we are seeing today with anti-LGBTQ and specifically anti-trans legislation and arguments. Listen to this episode to hear the history behind all this, as well as some bits of levity we made sure to put in (listen to Anita Bryant get hit with a pie and learn about the glorious protest tactic of glitterbombing), and hear how the LGBTQ community of yesteryear rose up to fight these counter-movements, and what we can learn from them in today’s fight. 


Then, when you’re finished with this episode, head over to Southern Queeries for the second part of our conversation, talking in depth about the current rash of anti-LGBTQ legislation in the country, our reactions and feelings, and how it’s the same conversation and language as back in 1977 and 1978.

Aubree, or Bree to her friends and enemies alike, is a black, queer trans woman on the edge of turning 40. A southerner for most of her life, Aubree has family roots across the south. She loves studying politics, history, and learning about all aspects of queer culture. Aubree started her podcast, Southern Queeries, because she’s tired of society ignoring the south's diverse communities. Professionally, Aubree is a community college government professor and part time writer. When not talking, teaching, or writing, Aubree’s spending her free time with her wonderful wife and daughter.

Dade County, FL, Anita Bryant, and Save Our Children

In 1977, Dade County, Florida, passed a human-rights ordinance that expanded non-discrimination coverage to sexual orientation, something that was being done throughout the country in several other municipalities as the gay rights movement has begun to make some progress post-Stonewall.

However, the backlash was severe, and was led primarily by Anita Bryant, singer, former Miss America runner-up and brand ambassador for the Florida Citrus Commission, turned anti-gay activist.

Together with her husband, Anita Bryant started the anti-gay organization Save Our Children (From Homosexuality), Inc., and ran a 6 month crusade to repeal the ordinance, ultimately forcing it back onto the ballot once they had collected several thousand signatures, and the ordinance was repealed in the referendum election later that year.

Amid this campaign, lies about queer people recruiting,, being child molesters, and more, were at the center of their campaign tactics.

Following the results in Dade County, several other states rolled back their own protections for queer people, and Anita Bryant traveled the country supporting these campaigns, culminating in Proposition 6, a statewide attempt to repeal a human-rights ordinance in California, spearheaded with Orange County senator John Briggs who had campaigned with Anita Bryant.

LGBTQ Response

The LGBTQ community in Dade County and all across the U.S. fought hard, though, and mobilized throughout the country and galvanized a queer rights movement that had somewhat grown complacent in the years since Stonewall— with Anita Bryant, there was a huge enemy, and one that could be utilized to their advantage.

The tactics of LGBTQ rights organizing drastically changed with the rise of these counter-movements, and a lot of it was focused on education, as well as direct responses and attacks on Anita Bryant and Save Our Children.

And in the case of CA, the grassroots organizing of teachers’ unions, intersectional labor and civil-rights coalitions, Harvey Milk and Sally Gearhart, and more, was enough to defeat Prop 6, the first in this string of legislation that was overturned— marking a turning point and changes in organizing tactics for the queer community and bringing LGBTQ rights to a national level of attention.

Gay bars around florida and the whole country started a boycott of florida orange juice, and refused to serve cocktails made with such, including screwdrivers. they instead began to offer “anita bryant” cocktails, made with vodka and apple juice.

Pins, shirts, and more were made that said “anita bryant sucks”, “fuck anita bryant, etc.

A Dartboard emblazoned with the face of anita bryant. Art and Artifacts Collection, Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society

Spectators at the 1977 San Francisco Gay Day Parade, wearing shirts with matching slogan "Stop V.D., FUCK ORANGES”, in reference to anita bryant’s connection with the florida citrus commission. Marie Ueda Collection, COurtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society

Women marching behind a banner saying "Lesbian School Workers," while others carry signs including many which say "NO! on the Briggs Initiative.", Crawford Wayne Barton collection (1993-11), Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society

1977 San Francisco Gay Day Parade; a contingent holding signs with pictures of (left to right) Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Anita Bryant, burning crosses, and Idi Amin Dada. Marie Ueda Collection, COurtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society

Anita Bryant’s Pie to the Face

October 14, 1977 – Bryant & her husband were in Des Moines, Iowa for a televised press conference, when gay activist Thom Higgins walked up mid-speech and threw a pie straight in her face. It’s the best thing we’ve ever seen.

We’ll leave you with mention from our Pop-Culture Tie Ins segment anti-Anita Bryant sketch from the Carol Burnett Show:


And also this news segment from 1990, reflecting on the legacy of Anita Bryant, Save Our Children, and the progress of the LGBTQ rights movement:




If you want to learn more, check out our full list of sources and further reading below!

Online Articles & Resources:

Books and Print Articles:

  • “Working Anita Bryant: The Impact of Christian Anti-Gay Activism on Lesbian and Gay Movement Claims” by Tina Fetner, Social Problems, Vol. 48, No 3 (August 2001)

  • "The Civil Rights of Parents": Race and Conservative Politics in Anita Bryant's Campaign against Gay Rights in 1970s Florida”, Gillian Frank, Journal of the History of Sexuality, Vol. 22, No. 1 (January 2013)

  • Out For Good, by Dudley Clendinen and Adam Nagourney

Primary Source News Articles

  • “Gay Rights Dispute Stops Bryant’s Show”, Jay Clarke, Washington Post, February 25, 1977

  • “Anita Bryant Visit Here Sparks Demonstration”, Phil McCombs and John Feinstein, Washington Post, January 23, 1978

  • “Bryant: Still ‘Effective?’, Washington Post, June 20, 1977

  • “Dade Approves Ordinance Banning Bias against Gays”, Miami Herald, 19 January 1977

  • “Miami Gay Bill Passes as Celebrities Lead Foes”, Gay Community News, 29 January 1977

  • “Gay Law Foes to Plan Vote Drive”, Miami Herald, 26 January 1977

  • “Miami’s Gays Gear Up for Referendum Battle”, Gay Community News, 12 February 1977

  • “Fight Gay Rights,” Miami News, 29 April 1977

  • “Singer Anita Bryant Coming”, Baptist Beacon 25, no. 4 (1977)

  • “The Gay Issue: Whose Rights Prevail?”, Miami Herald, 4 April 1977

  • “Grim Moms March against Gay Law”, Miami Herald, 19 February 1977

  • “Gay-Law Foes Claim 59,918 Back Views”, Miami Herald, 2 March 1977

  • “Dade Man Is Linked to Scout Sex Inquiry”, Miami Herald, 18 May 1977

  • “Taking a Stand on Gay Rights No Easy Task”, Miami Herald, 29 March 1977

  • DCCHR, “Release to All Gay Media Publications”, 3 June 1977

  • Advertisements of Anita Bryant gag gifts– Advocate, 10 August 1977

  • “June, Polls Show Human Rights Election a Virtual Tie – Gay Turnout Crucial,” Alive, 12 June 1977

  • “Dade County, Fla., Repeals Rights Ordinance by 7-to-3 Margin,” Washington Star, 8 June 1977

  • “Dade Gay-Rights Loses, Anita Dances, Calls Result Win ‘for God,’” Miami Herald, 8 June 1977

  • “Florida’s Vote: Hopeful Symptom,” Reno Evening Gazette, 15 June 1977

  • “Wichita Could be Next,” Gay Community News, 31 December 1977

  • “Miami Post Mortem–Lessons from Losing, Four Perspectives of Dade County,” Advocate, 24 August 1977

  • “Gays Lose Battle – Set Out to Win the War,” Alive!, July 1977

Until next time, stay queer and stay curious!