Rising Voices—and Rising Reactions: the 1970s and ’80s

Increased visibility angered those who saw LGBT people as undeserving of civil rights.

In 1977, born-again singer Anita Bryant mounted a campaign to repeal a gay rights ordinance in Florida. Her message: homosexuals are a threat to America’s children. The campaign drew widespread national support, and focused media attention on anti-gay discrimination.

Outraged by Bryant’s message and other attacks on gay rights, LGBT activists intensified their efforts. Less than a decade later, the AIDS epidemic and its associated stigma would spur an even wider and more vocal activism.

“If gays are granted rights, next we’ll have to give rights to prostitutes and to people who sleep with St. Bernards and to nail biters.”

—pop singer and anti-gay activist Anita Bryant, 1977

June 6, 1977 issue of Newsweek featuring Anita Bryant on the cover

June 6, 1977 issue of Newsweek featuring Anita Bryant on the cover

In January 1977, Florida’s Dade County Commission passes an ordinance that forbids discrimination against gays in housing, employment and public accommodations. Enraged, a Christian fundamentalist group—headed by pop singer Anita Bryant—launches the “Save Our Children” campaign. After a special election, voters overturn the anti-discrimination ordinance by a 70% majority.

Rev. Jerry Falwell—who in 1979 would found the conservative political action group, the Moral Majority—supports Anita Bryant and her anti-gay message. Homosexuals, he says, are “brute beasts . . . part of a vile and satanic system [that] will be utterly annihilated.”

Jerry Falwell appears on the cover of Time magazine’s September 2, 1985 issue

Jerry Falwell appears on the cover of Time magazine’s September 2, 1985 issue

Flyer urging voters to support the Briggs initiative's proposed ban on gay teachers. John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Flyer urging voters to support the Briggs initiative's proposed ban on gay teachers. John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives

Proposition 6 is voted down by Californians in 1978. Also known as the Briggs ballot initiative, it would have barred LGBT people—and anyone who supported gay rights—from working in the state’s public schools. While proponents of the amendment painted all homosexuals as potential child molesters, those working against the initiative successfully showed that the overwhelming majority of people charged with such crimes identify as straight.

“My fond hope is that the Gay Liberation Front and its political auxiliaries receive a long overdue thrashing [in the decision on overturning the ban against LGBT discrimination in Dade County]. . . . It is time society pushed back.”

—political commentator and syndicated columnist Patrick J. Buchanan in the Chicago Tribune, June 7, 1977