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Anita Bryant (b. 1940) was an extremely successful singer and commercial endorser who became an early opponent of the homosexual movement.  As a result, the entertainment and corporate world ostracized her {{fact}}.

Anita Bryant (b. 1940) was an extremely successful singer and commercial endorser who became an early opponent of the homosexual movement.  As a result, the entertainment and corporate world ostracized her.

A devout Christian born and raised in [[Oklahoma]], Bryant won the prestigious talent competition of [[Arthur Godfrey]] at age 16, was runner-up in the Miss America competition at age 19, and next recorded three smash popular hit songs, of which a couple were imitated later by famous groups such as the [[Beatles]].  In the late 1960s and 1970s Anita Bryant became one of the most successful endorsers of goods, most famously Florida orange juice.  She was as popular as any rock star today, and had such broad appeal that she performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl III in 1969 and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the burial of former President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1973 {{fact}}.

A devout Christian born and raised in [[Oklahoma]], Bryant won the prestigious talent competition of [[Arthur Godfrey]] at age 16, was runner-up in the Miss America competition at age 19, and next recorded three smash popular hit songs, of which a couple were imitated later by famous groups such as the [[Beatles]].  In the late 1960s and 1970s Anita Bryant became one of the most successful endorsers of goods, most famously Florida orange juice.  She was as popular as any rock star today, and had such broad appeal that she performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl III in 1969 and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" at the burial of former President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] in 1973.

Living in South Florida, Bryant saw Florida's Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) pass an ordinance in 1977 granting anti-discrimination rights to homosexuals.  Bryant successfully led an effort to repeal this ordinance in a referendum that passed in a landslide vote of 69% to 31%.  She said her main concern was the recruitment of children into the homosexual lifestyle, and she founded a group called [[Save Our Children]] for that purpose.  It was not until 1998 that Miami-Dade County reinstated the ordinance by a narrow 7-6 vote.

Living in South Florida, Bryant saw Florida's Dade County (now Miami-Dade County) pass an ordinance in 1977 granting anti-discrimination rights to homosexuals.  Bryant successfully led an effort to repeal this ordinance in a referendum that passed in a landslide vote of 69% to 31%.  She said her main concern was the recruitment of children into the homosexual lifestyle, and she founded a group called [[Save Our Children]] for that purpose.  It was not until 1998 that Miami-Dade County reinstated the ordinance by a narrow 7-6 vote.

Bryant also successfully led a campaign for the Florida legislature to prohibit homosexuals from adopting children.  Over two decades later, in 2004, that law was upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.<ref>''Lofton v. Sec'y of the Dep't of Children & Family Servs.'', 358 F.3d 804 (11th Cir. 2004).</ref>

Bryant also successfully led a campaign for the Florida legislature to prohibit homosexuals from adopting children.  Over two decades later, in 2004, that law was upheld by the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.<ref>''Lofton v. Sec'y of the Dep't of Children & Family Servs.'', 358 F.3d 804 (11th Cir. 2004).</ref>

Among [[conservatives]] there is some debate as the whether or not Bryant should have gotten involved in this issue, as most conservatives believe celebrities, like Bryant, should stay out of politics  

Homosexual advocates vilified Bryant for her stance, and continue to insult her to this day. They organized a boycott of her corporate sponsors and they obtained denunciations of Bryant by other entertainers. Four self-proclaimed homosexuals slapped Bryant with a pie in her face during a speaking event in Des Moines, Iowa.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS91gT3XT_A</ref> Bryant responded immediately by saying a prayer for her assailants.  Police authorities refused to prosecute for the assault.

<ref>67% of Republicans say celebrities should stay out of politics[http://www.pollster.com/mystery_pollster/poll_cbs_news_hollywood_politi.php]</ref> (The conservative [[Fox News Channel]] is so opposed to celebrity involvement in politics it created and ran a special show report dedicated to ridiculing the idea  <ref>If Hollywood ran America [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253777,00.html]</ref>).

The efforts of the homosexual activists succeeded in destroying Bryant's career.  The corporations refused to continue to hire her; the music industry excluded her. Bryant attempted to revive her career in small towns, but those attempts were unsuccessful and ended in bankruptcy.

 

The efforts of the homosexual activists succeeded in destroying Bryant's career {{fact}}.  The corporations refused to continue to hire her; the music industry excluded her. Bryant attempted to revive her career in small towns, but those attempts were unsuccessful and ended in bankruptcy {{fact}}.

== References ==

== References ==

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