Anita Bryant, the former beauty queen and pop singer known for her vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, faced a significant backlash during her career due to her controversial activism. After publicly announcing that she felt she was being blacklisted, the Florida Citrus Commission assured her that her $100,000-a-year contract would remain intact. However, it was ultimately canceled by the end of the decade as the tide turned against her views.
A notable incident occurred in October 1977, when during a news conference in Des Moines, Iowa, a protester thrust a banana cream pie into her face. In a moment that would become iconic, Bryant responded with a quip about the pie being a fruit pie, prompting mixed interpretations—some saw it as a benign nod to her role in promoting citrus fruits, while others interpreted it as a derogatory reference. As the incident unfolded on camera, she invoked prayer, stating, “We’re praying for him to be delivered from his deviant lifestyle, Father,” and later expressed her emotional turmoil during the episode.
Looking back on her activism, Bryant reflected in a 1990 interview, “I don’t regret it, because I did the right thing. Sometimes you have to pay a price for what you believe is right.”
Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, Bryant was the daughter of Warren and Lenore Bryant, who separated during her childhood. Despite the challenges she faced in her personal life, her story has continued to resonate, serving as a powerful reminder of the societal struggles over personal beliefs and the consequences that can arise from standing firm in one’s convictions.
In assessing Bryant’s legacy, it serves as an example of how public figures can be both influential and polarizing, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing societal issues.