Anita Bryant's Controversial Legacy Reexamined After Death

Anita Bryant, the former Miss Oklahoma and Grammy-nominated singer, passed away at the age of 84 at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma, on December 16, 2024. She was renowned for musical hits like 'Till There Was You' and 'Paper Roses' and for coining the famous phrase, 'A day without orange juice is like a day without sunshine' as a Florida orange juice spokesperson. Her legacy is also marked by her controversial anti-LGBTQ+ activism in the 1970s, notably leading the 'Save Our Children' campaign that successfully overturned a Miami-Dade County ordinance protecting LGBTQ+ rights. Her activism led to backlash, product boycotts, and public protests, including a pie attack by a gay rights activist. Despite being a celebrated figure among religious conservatives, her activism resulted in personal and financial losses, including the end of her endorsement deals and multiple bankruptcies. Her death was announced by her family on January 9, 2025, who expressed hope that her memory would be a comfort to those who shared her faith.