1977-01-18 Anti-Discrimination Law Passed in Dade County, Florida

The Dade County Commission in South Florida passes a law banning discrimination in employment and in housing based on “sexual or affectional preference.” Singer-celebrity Anita Bryant, who attended the legislative session, told a reporter afterward that “We’re not going to take this sitting down,” and began organizing a massive voter referendum campaign to repeal the law.

1977-06-07 Voters repeal gay rights law

Voters in Dade County, Florida overwhelmingly approve a ballot measure to repeal the county’s gay rights ordinance that prohibited discrimination. The campaign, led by former beauty queen and singer Anita Bryant, leads to similar successful campaigns in a number of other cities. It also provoked an upsurge in demonstrations and activism by the LGBT community across the U.S.

1977-10-08 First Gay Pride Rally in Richmond, Virginia

The first Gay Pride Rally in Richmond, Virginia was held on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. Organizers of the event were protesting the arrival in Richmond of Anita Bryant, who had spearheaded a voter referendum to repeal an anti-discrimination law in Dade County, Florida and was traveling around the country whipping up anti-gay sentiment. Karla Jay, who had edited the anthologies Out of the Closets and After You’re Out was the keynote speaker at the rally.