Miami-Dade County

Singer and anti-gay activist Anita Bryant has died. See photos of her time in Miami

4/25/1977: Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald Staff -- Orange juice, a Bible and Anita Bryant.
4/25/1977: Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald Staff -- Orange juice, a Bible and Anita Bryant. Joe Rimkus Jr.

Multi-Grammy nominated singer, beauty queen, Florida Orange Juice pitchwoman and conservative activist Anita Bryant has died. She was 84.

Bryant was a popular singer before becoming mired in career-altering controversy. Her time in South Florida was spent juggling singing gigs, co-hosting broadcasts of the Orange Bowl Parade and later leading a group of conservative activists to repeal an ordinance prohibiting discrimination against members of the gay community.

MORE: Watch the documentary chronicling Anita Bryant’s role in Miami’s fight for LGBTQ rights

Here are some images of Anita Bryant through the years.

Anita Bryant at gay debate in 1977
Anita Bryant at gay debate in 1977 Tim Chapman The Miami Herald
Anita Bryant speaking before the metro commission meeting in 1977. She was one of those against the amendment
Anita Bryant speaking before the metro commission meeting in 1977. She was one of those against the amendment Joe Rimkus Jr. The Miami Herald
Anita Bryant sings in church with all the others
Anita Bryant sings in church with all the others Bob East The Miami Herald
February 25, 1977 - Anita Bryant addresses the media at her home in Miami Beach during her 1977 campaign against Dade County’s gay-rights ordinance.
February 25, 1977 - Anita Bryant addresses the media at her home in Miami Beach during her 1977 campaign against Dade County’s gay-rights ordinance. Battle Vaughan
Anita Bryant at breakfast at 1328 NW 3rd Ave. She sang two songs for black ministers group
Anita Bryant at breakfast at 1328 NW 3rd Ave. She sang two songs for black ministers group John Walther The Miami Herald
March 22, 1977 - Anita Bryant, right, on hand for Soviet Jewry march down Lincoln Mall from Washington to Alton Road. Approximately 400 people were on hand for the rally .
March 22, 1977 - Anita Bryant, right, on hand for Soviet Jewry march down Lincoln Mall from Washington to Alton Road. Approximately 400 people were on hand for the rally . Pauline Lubens The Miami Herald
9/14/1971: Ralph Pabst/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant with twin children Barbara and Billy.
9/14/1971: Ralph Pabst/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant with twin children Barbara and Billy. Ralph Pabst
Published 6/18/1972: Ralph Pabst/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant during filming of a commercial at Woroner Studios.
Published 6/18/1972: Ralph Pabst/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant during filming of a commercial at Woroner Studios. Ralph Pabst
1/4/1970: Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant celebrates the first birthday of her twins, Barbara and Billy... “miracle babies” were not expected to live.
1/4/1970: Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant celebrates the first birthday of her twins, Barbara and Billy... “miracle babies” were not expected to live. Battle Vaughan
11/26/1972: Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant portrait for Tropic magazine.
11/26/1972: Battle Vaughan/Miami Herald Staff -- Anita Bryant portrait for Tropic magazine. Battle Vaughan

This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 10:03 PM.

DB
Dana Banker
Miami Herald
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