Anita Bryant and the "Save Our Children" Campaign: A Legacy of Anti-Gay Activism

In the late 1970s, singer and former beauty queen Anita Bryant launched a national campaign that would make her the face of anti-LGBTQ activism in America. Bryant, who was known for her wholesome image and Christian values, became a polarizing figure through her Save Our Children campaign, which aimed to repeal a Miami-Dade County ordinance that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. This movement was built around a narrative that framed LGBTQ individuals as a threat to children and traditional family values.

The Birth of the "Save Our Children" Campaign

The Miami-Dade ordinance, which sought to protect individuals from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, was passed in January 1977. However, Bryant, with the backing of conservative Christian groups, quickly mobilized against it. She argued that the law would normalize homosexuality, which she described as an "abomination of God," a phrase that became central to her campaign’s rhetoric. Bryant’s message resonated with many Americans who shared her fundamentalist Christian beliefs.

Framing Homosexuality as a Threat

At the core of Bryant’s argument was the idea that gay adults posed a danger to children, both morally and physically. She fueled fears by suggesting that the LGBTQ community sought to "recruit" children into a "deviant" lifestyle, which she argued went against Christian teachings. In her view, protecting gay rights would undermine the traditional family structure and erode the moral fabric of society. The campaign’s slogan, Save Our Children, played into this fear, insinuating that without intervention, America's youth—and, by extension, the future—was at risk.

This framing of LGBTQ individuals as predatory and morally corrupt echoed broader cultural anxieties at the time, which were heavily shaped by religious conservatism. Bryant’s outspoken belief that homosexuality was a sin, or as she repeatedly called it, an "abomination of God," became the rallying cry for those opposed to gay rights.

Success and Backlash

Bryant’s campaign was successful in repealing the ordinance, but it also ignited widespread backlash. The LGBTQ community, which had already been gaining momentum in the post-Stonewall era, galvanized in response. Protests erupted across the country, and Bryant soon became a target of satire and public ridicule, culminating in the infamous 1977 incident where she was hit in the face with a pie during a press conference.

Despite the repeal of the Miami-Dade ordinance, Bryant’s legacy remains a deeply divisive one. Her words, particularly the phrase "abomination of God," not only marked the beginning of an era of intense religious right activism but also helped to unify the LGBTQ rights movement in opposition.

The Legacy of the "Save Our Children" Campaign

Anita Bryant's campaign had lasting implications for both the LGBTQ rights movement and conservative Christian activism in the U.S. The language she used—describing homosexuality as an abomination—became a common refrain in conservative rhetoric. However, her campaign also contributed to the national conversation about LGBTQ rights, and it served as a catalyst for many LGBTQ individuals to come out, organize, and fight for their rights.

In later years, Bryant’s personal life saw setbacks. Her marriage ended in divorce, which some pointed to as ironic given her staunch defense of "traditional" family values. She faded from the national spotlight, but her impact on the culture wars of the late 20th century remained clear.

Conclusion

Anita Bryant's Save Our Children campaign stands as a critical moment in the history of LGBTQ rights in America. Her rhetoric, particularly the characterization of homosexuality as an "abomination of God," helped to define the religious right's anti-gay agenda. However, the backlash against her movement also galvanized the LGBTQ rights movement, leading to significant progress in the years that followed. Although Bryant's influence waned, the cultural battles she ignited continue to shape debates about LGBTQ rights and religious freedom in the U.S.