In 1977, Dade County Florida tried to pass an ordinance that would forbid discrimination, due to sexual orientation. “Christian” Florida Orange Juice spokeswoman Anita Bryant was outraged at this. She said that homosexuals could not reproduce on their own and therefore were trying to push their “lifestyle” as an acceptable alternative to recruit children for their ranks. So she started a campaign called “Save Our Children” to rally support to stop the ordinance from passing. She teamed up with the likes of Jerry Falwell to organize a rebellion against gay rights.
In June of 1977, Anita Bryant’s campaign was successful and the ordinance was repealed by a margin of 69 to 31 percent.
Now today Miami-Dade County Florida has created another footnote for itself in anti-LGBT history by rejecting a ban on harmful gay conversion therapy for minors saying it’s too intrusive on a family’s right to make decisions for their child.
The 4 to 7 vote followed hours of public testimony, most of it from opponents of the proposed ordinance by Commissioner Sally Heyman. Supporters wanted Miami-Dade to join a list of local governments banning the discredited practice of trying to change a child’s sexual orientation, but critics saw the ordinance as so broadly worded that it could ensnare a pastor’s sermon or a parent expressing concerns about a child’s choices on sexual activity.
The spirit of Anita Bryant lives on.
