Know Your LGBT History - Anita Bryant

Whether she meant to or not, former Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant winner and spokesperson for the Florida Citrus Commission became an icon in lgbt history after her controversial and successful campaign to repeal a pro-gay rights ordinance in Dade County, FL in 1977. She won the battle but lost the war. She had other victories in other states, but she also galvanized the gay rights movement big time. Subsequently, her career was ruined. However, her legacy still stings our community. It was the first time someone used the "gays are a public hazard, particularly to our children" argument to defeat pro-gay legislation. And it would not be the last. Bryant provided a blueprint to future generations of bigots and homophobes:


 

 

Now the following is a clip everyone seems to remember. Bryant was assaulted by a gay man who hit her in the face with a pie. I am NOT for this sort of behavior. I don't care how empowering it allegedly feels. And I am totally against anyone who feels that we should do this sort of thing now (hello those who remember that stupid idea of throwing glitter on people). In the fight for equality, we should never stoop to levels which make us look like rabid dogs:

 

Past Know Your LGBT History posts:

Know Your LGBT History - 'THE GAYS ARE COMING TO GET YOU' documentaries

Know Your LGBT History - The story of 3 minutes

Know Your LGBT History - Outing

Know Your LGBT History - WKRP in Cincinnati: 'Les on a Ledge'

Know Your LGBT History - Jeanne Manford and PFLAG

Know Your LGBT History - In-the-closet politicians and pastors

Know Your LGBT History - Tales from the Crypt - 'The Assassin'

Know Your LGBT History - Gays in Sports 

Know Your LGBT History - Barney Frank

Know Your LGBT History - Roseanne

Know Your LGBT History - Ellen - 'The Puppy Episode'

Know Your LGBT History - World AIDS Day

Know Your LGBT History - The sad hysteria over the 'down low'

Know Your LGBT History - The Stonewall Riots of 1969
 
Know Your LGBT History - Trevor

Know Your LGBT History - Christine Jorgensen

Know Your LGBT History - Stephen Stucker

Know Your LGBT History - Coming Out

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Know Your LGBT History - Roy Cohn

Know Your LGBT History - Gladys Bentley

Know Your LGBT History - Wanda Sykes 

Know Your LGBT History - William 'Billy' Haines and Jimmy Shields

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Know Your LGBT History - Bugs Bunny

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Know Your LGBT History - Homoeroticism in Fright Night

Know Your LGBT History - New York passes marriage equality law

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Know Your LGBT History - Liberace

Know Your LGBT History - A brief history of gay relationships

Know Your LGBT History - Bessie Smith

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The Best of Know Your LGBT History

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The Jeffersons and the transgender community