Controversial beauty queen Anita Bryant dead at 82 decades after fighting against gay rights

Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma and Grammy-nominated singer, known for her opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, passed away at the age of 84.

The controversial entertainer died on Dec. 16 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, according to her obituary shared Thursday on The Oklahoman website. The cause of death has not been disclosed. 

Anita Bryant's musical talent emerged early, showcasing her gifted voice. By the age of 12, she was already hosting her own local television show. 

A devout Christian throughout her life, she received three Grammy nominations: two for Best Sacred Performance and one for Best Spiritual Performance.

She went on to win the Miss Oklahoma crown in 1958 and enjoyed a successful music career with hits like 'Till There Was You' and 'Paper Roses.'

By the late 1960s, she had achieved national prominence, performing for troops overseas with Bob Hope, entertaining at the White House, and singing at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions. 

She also gained widespread recognition as a spokesperson, famously promoting Florida orange juice with the iconic tagline, 'A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine.'

But her career took a controversial turn in the late 1970s when she became a vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights.

Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma and Grammy-nominated singer, passed away at the age of 84 on December 16th at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Anita Bryant, a former Miss Oklahoma and Grammy-nominated singer, passed away at the age of 84 on December 16th at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Bryant's activism against LGBTQ+ rights sparked widespread backlash, including boycotts of products she endorsed and public protests

Bryant's activism against LGBTQ+ rights sparked widespread backlash, including boycotts of products she endorsed and public protests

Leading the 'Save Our Children' campaign, she successfully overturned a Miami-Dade County ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. 

This campaign, backed by figures like Reverend Jerry Falwell, utilized inflammatory rhetoric, condemning the LGBTQ+ community, and referred to the gays as 'human garbage.' 

Bryant's activism sparked widespread backlash, including boycotts of products she endorsed and public protests.

LGBTQ+ activists organized boycotts of products she endorsed, created mocking T-shirts, and even named a cocktail after her—a twist on the screwdriver that replaced orange juice with apple juice. 

During a October 1977 press conference in Des Moines, Iowa, she was famously struck in the face with a pie by an activist.

'Well at least it's a fruit pie,' she said before praying for the protestor.

Anita Bryant's outspoken opposition to LGBTQ+ rights had a profound impact on her career. That same year, she was removed from a variety show due to what The New York Times described as her 'controversial political activities.'

Bryant defended her stance on religious grounds, stating in a 1978 interview with Playboy: 'I got involved only because they were asking for special privileges that violated the state law of Florida, not to mention God's law. 

Bryant achieved early success, hosting her own TV show at 12 and winning Miss Oklahoma in 1958

Bryant achieved early success, hosting her own TV show at 12 and winning Miss Oklahoma in 1958

By the late 1960s, she had achieved national prominence, performing for troops overseas with Bob Hope, entertaining at the White House, and singing at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions

By the late 1960s, she had achieved national prominence, performing for troops overseas with Bob Hope, entertaining at the White House, and singing at both Democratic and Republican National Conventions

'God says the wages of sin are death, and one little sin brings on another. The homosexual act is just the beginning of the depravity.'

She also supported the Briggs Initiative in California, a 1978 ballot proposition that sought to ban LGBTQ+ individuals from teaching in public schools. The measure ultimately failed. 

In Florida, Anita Bryant's legacy has been both contested and continued. The ban on sexual discrimination she fought to repeal was reinstated in 1998.

Bryant spent her later years in Oklahoma, where she led Anita Bryant Ministries International. 

Bryant was married to Bob Green for 20 years, divorcing in 1980. 

She later married Charlie Hobson Dry in 1990, who predeceased her earlier this year. 

According to her family's statement, she is survived by four children, two stepdaughters, and seven grandchildren.