God, Gays, and O.J.

Anita Bryant was a pop singer in the late '50s who made a name for herself entertaining American troops on deployment; later, in the '70s, she became a spokeswoman for the Florida Citrus Commission. In 1977, she got riled up about a law that would protect gays from discrimination, and...

By Penn Bullock

November 20, 2008

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Anita Bryant was a pop singer in the late '50s who made a name for herself entertaining American troops on deployment; later, in the '70s, she became a spokeswoman for the Florida Citrus Commission. In 1977, she got riled up about a law that would protect gays from discrimination, and from her pulpy bully pulpit, waged a campaign against the ordinance. Florida's homosexuals retaliated by throwing a pie in her face ("At least it's a fruit pie," she quipped at the time), and boycotting orange juice. The boycott worked, and Bryant fell into bankruptcy, disgrace, and lesbian leather fetishism. Actually, that's a lie - but she did go bankrupt. Today, she runs a tacky religious sect and personality cult of sorts in her home state of Oklahoma.

The world premiere of 1,000 Homosexuals promises to lift Anita Bryant's waning star. She's the hero of the play as she battles the gay agenda, shields children from homosexual recruitment efforts, and stands up for God. Playwright Michael Hawney hasn't hesitated to put this earnest, but demented, Southern Baptist in a flattering light. His intentions are tongue-in-cheek. 1,000 Homosexuals premieres at 8 p.m. at the Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Tickets cost $35. Call 305-949-6722, or visit arshtcenter.org for upcoming times and additional ticket prices.
Nov. 20-23, 2008

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