Anita Bryant (1940 – 2024) was an American singer and conservative activist known for her opposition to LGBT rights. She had several hit songs in the 1960s and was the face of the Florida Citrus Commission from 1969 to 1980.
In 1977, Bryant launched the Save Our Children campaign to repeal a Miami-Dade County ordinance protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Though the campaign succeeded, it led to a national backlash, with gay rights activists organizing boycotts against her sponsors. The controversy damaged her career, and by 1980, she lost major endorsements and declared bankruptcy.
Born in Oklahoma, Bryant won Miss Oklahoma 1958 and was a runner-up in Miss America. She later became a gospel singer and performed at national events, including the Super Bowl. Her later years were marked by failed business ventures and financial struggles.
Despite her diminished influence, Bryant remained vocal about her beliefs. She passed away in 2024 at 84, leaving a legacy of cultural and political controversy in American history.