“It’s very hard to argue with someone who thinks that an integral part of your identity is just an evil delusion. She wants a relationship with a person who doesn’t exist because I’m not the person she wants me to be. I think I probably will eventually just call her and ask if she even wants an invitation, because I genuinely do not know how she would respond. I don’t know if she would be offended if I didn’t invite her…I just kind of feel bad for her. And I think as much as she hopes that I will figure things out and come back to God, I kind of hope that she’ll figure things out.”–Sarah Green, the lesbian granddaughter of notorious beauty queen and homophobe Anita Bryant. In a new episode of the podcast One Year, Green recalled her grandmother’s icy reaction to her coming out, and her ongoing debate as to whether she should invite Bryant to her upcoming wedding to her girlfriend. In the 1970s, Bryant championed an anti-gay agenda, even successfully repealing anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ people and banning adoption by gay couples in Florida.
In Quotes
Anita Bryant’s granddaughter wonders: should I invite my homophobic grandma to my wedding?
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TomG
Short answer, no. She probably wouldn’t even accept the invitation so why waste the stamp to mail it.
Mister P
Anita Tyrant is still Around?
lather
LOL, that was my first response. She’s alive? Well shit! She hasn’t been doing her “god-given” job very well, I haven’t heard her idiotic rant in ages.
Kinkslola
Only the good die young.
handy6924868
I thought she gone, gone. Maybe that was just a pipe dream. Oh, well!
If you think there is a chance that granny will make as ass of herself and ruin your day. DO NOT even bother inviting her. It is not worth it.
blackhook
haha too bad the old bat has not met her maker & pined for the fjords!
LumpyPillows
I had to Google her too…sad to say the old bag still breaths.
Joshooeerr
Well, we sure got her to S.T.F.U.
Joshooeerr
Actually, I’m glad she’s lived to see homosexuality decriminalised everywhere in the civilised world, gay marriage introduced in 33 countries (and counting) and homosexuality accepted by most thinking people. It must have caused her a great deal of pain. Maybe she’s even been forced to question the God who was supposedly so firmly on the side of her righteous cause. But like Christian wackos everywhere I’ll bet she’s rationalised that delusion. She’s 81 now, but I hope she lasts another 20 years. Maybe long enough to see the first openly gay president and first husband (Go Pete Buttigieg!)
BoomerMyles
I guess evil last long.
bsg1967
My first thought as well I thought a young Judy garland dropped a house on her
customartist
After the lifetime of vigilance and hatred that Anita Bryant has spewn toward gay & lesbian people, and especially given the fact that she has not taken an opportunity to make things right with at a minimum people in her own family such as yourself, I would say to just move forward with your own life, and do not invite nor worry about how she feels. YOU are not the one who has attacked HER. Take care of yourself, your spouse and those around you who make you happy. Best wishes!
GrizzleyMichael
Just keep a fresh cream pie on hand if she starts being a big ass jerk. I wouldn’t invite her to a funeral
MISTERJETT
old pie face is still with us?
stonercharles
I just can’t stop watching and laughing at this pie scene!!!
Liquid Silver
That’s a surprisingly mature and wholesome response from her granddaughter. I’d say go for it, but don’t expect much, and don’t tolerate any garbage from Anita.
You can always leave the lines of communication open…without putting up with any abuse in return.
Mimi77023
No one is perfect !!! and as a non -judgemental liberals we must live and let live we live in a free world here in U. S. A.
Matthewnow
How many people died or were gay bashed because of her hate. Hey Anita, say hi to St. Peter as you take the elevator down to hell.
nunya
She’s your grandmother. Do the right thing and invite her. She probably won’t accept, but at least you did the right thing. Be the bigger person.
James
What a stupid reply. What next, invite Adolph Hitler to my jewish wedding.
drelimanning
yes i agree, give her the benefit of the doubt but if she acts like a homophobe jerk than screw her, you did the right thing by giving her the option. Dr R
Openminded
Agreed, invite her. Maybe she will stroke out when you say your “I do’s”. That would be a great news headline.
Cam
@nunya and @Openminded
It’s just so embarrassing that you constantly have to switch screennames to back up your posts that always defend anti-LGBTQ bigots.
Your troll game is sad and weak.
nunya
Uh, James, Hitler is dead and I assume not a grandparent of yours. Talk about stupid replies.
cuteguy
We have all struggled with something like this in our lives. At the end of the day I feel for her but it’s her life and she has to take care of herself. I hope she and her wife have a wonderful wedding and marriage. I am disturbed by her saying “coming back to God”. I myself never left God, just the church. Religion segregates. God Loves. Once we separate church from God, pol will be so much happier
Juanito malo
Anita Bryant was the best thing that ever happened to us…She made us coalesce into a force to fight back against homophobes.
Seth
Don’t give the boot heel credit for the work of the throat beneath it.
Kangol2
That fight began before this witch made her appearance. Did you forget Stonewall, the Gay Activist Alliance, radicalesbians, etc.?
Mark Allen
You owe her nothing. This day is for you and your wife. Live your life in love with the people who support you. Your grandmother made her choice and inflicted hurt on millions. She has shown no remorse. It’s possible she could ruin the day set to celebrate your love. Why even consider that? Perhaps, not inviting her could make her reflect on her past. But your obligation is to your wife and yourself, not your grandmother.
drelimanning
i would say ask her directl and if she gives yu a hard time then screw her. Dr R
drelimanning
Hi Sarah may God bles you and your wife on your wedding day and forever, congratulations and may your love for each other abound. remember love is love and all that matters is your love for each other
God bless
Dr R
Jim
I think her grandmother shroud be invited but a pie should be handy if she gets out of line.
Cam
Oh yes!! Or have pie as the dessert. LOL!! Fruit Pie!
Cam
I love the fact that when Anita Bryant moved back to her hometown after the whole anti-gay crusade, she thought her hypocrisy would be no problem.
Except her church just happened to be one of the few evangelical churches that weren’t giant hypocrites, They wouldn’t let her rejoin BECAUSE SHE GOT A DIVORCE! LOL!!!!!!
Imagine if those churches still did the same thing today. People like Kim Davis and her anti-marriage thing would never have gotten off the ground with her multiple divorces and adultery.
MichaelannD
I didn’t see anything in the article indicating that they are estranged or that Grandma has “disowned” her grand daughter. So my advice would be to call her & tell her you weren’t sure if you should invite her because it might offend her. But on the other hand, you don’t want to hurt her feelings by not inviting her. This puts the ball squarely in her court & she can decide which is more important to her.
Fahd
Maybe she could arrange an opportunity for her to attend virtually through Zoom… geographical separation is the best way to keep this from ruining things – if she attends the wedding in person and acts inappropriately you’ll regret ruining your and your wife’s day. If she freaks while watching on Zoom, her caregiver in the remote location will have to deal with it.
humble charlie
I, too, thought she was dead, but even if she were dead I would still invite her. But keep a table full of cream pies at the entrance to both the church and reception area. If not used, they can be served for dessert.
Mister P
When Anita was a teenager a group of gay guys gang rejected her.
barryaksarben
I always wish a gay child or grandchild on a homophobe and I guess in this case my wish came true. She was a hate filled lying pos back then and I doubt she changed much. Anyone who hates that much NEVER learns.
DennisMpls
If I were in that position I’d invite her. As a couple other commenters have said, that would put the ball in her court. I’ve discovered during the course of my life that I’m happier and healthier if I let things go emotionally (while never forgetting or not understanding intellectually). It always makes me feel more powerful, not lesser, when I take the high road. And I firmly believe that ANYONE has the power to change (which is one of many reasons I’m against capital punishment). Though it’s certainly not likely in this case. But make Bryant choose to not honor her granddaughter’s important day, make her choose to be intolerant and hateful.
gabbym
Honestly I thought Anita Bryant was dead !
JromeGervais09
Say to her in a special letter, not a wedding invitation, “I write this letter to let you know that I am marrying my girlfriend on date, time, and where. You can come if you wish. I only have one request and that is you conduct yourself respectful of me, my fiancee and the reception. If this is not suitable to you, then please do not come to my wedding.
DennisMpls
That’s a good idea! My original thought was just to invite her (as I said in an earlier post), but I like your idea better.
Essie
I seriously thought this woman died years ago. I even remember reading about it because it’s the last time her hatred was mentioned. Oh well. At least she’s quiet these days because she was a totally awful person back in the 70s. I gave up drinking orange juice for awhile because of her. At least the Florida orange juice people were smart enough to can her sorry a$$.
Anyway, I hope Sarah doesn’t invite her granny to the wedding because I can just see Old-A$$ Anita standing up and ranting about how both women will go to hell for being in love. Please don’t risk having your big day ruined by this woman who hates you.
JRamonMc
Hate has no place at a wedding and the chance she would make a scene is more likely than not. Especially if you ask “does anyone object to this union”. Also, be prepared for a highlighted bible as a gift.
Invader7
No. That bitch deserves all the scorn cause of the pain she’s caused. May she rot in HELL !!! The cow…
SarcasaticMisanthrope
If she shows up, she deserves another pie in the puss. Cherry Cream of course.
nitejonboy
I think you mean a pie in the face…a pie in the puss would probably lead to a yeast infection….hehe
Doug
I’ll always have the memory of coming out and going to my first gay parade the year she campaigned against us. I can’t believe after all this time has gone by she hasn’t educated herself more and changed her views.
Toofie
Why would you want someone at your wedding that doesn’t support it? Grandmother or not.
KZNBama
My guess is because granddaughter’s heart is way bigger and has more love in it than grandma’s ever did.
Gay Thomas
She deserves an orange juice shower, not a gay wedding invitation. Hopefully she drowns in it.
smudge
I am a 72 year old gay man and have been in a loving relationship since 1978 and thanks to President Obama we were legally married by none other than a Supreme Court Judge. It is my opinion that you should invite your grandmother and put the responsibility on her to RSVP back to you and to not let her off the hook by giving her the excuse that her granddaughter did not invite her.
FridM
Funny as F….quoting Millie Bobby Brown from Intruders…”What goes around comes around!!!!”
scotty
Pining for the fjords?
Hillers
Oddly enough, I think about her rather often. She was the Maggie Gallagher of her time.
This could be a turning point that may move her heart and mind, seeing a family member commit to a person of the same sex in a loving marriage. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she publicly came out with a change of heart?
KZNBama
I love your perspective. It’s a refreshing change from all the hate. Don’t get me wrong, Anita Bryant deserves all the venom she gets, but that doesn’t mean we need to dish it out.
ron2013
Last I heard she was in Oklahoma. Glad I don’t live there anymore!
KZNBama
“Alexa, is Anita Bryant still alive?”
PhillyProud
Remembering my two grandmothers. If they were alive they’d be 113 and 111. Recalling my days as a gay fem boy and how I always felt safe around my them. They gave me parents who never shamed me for who I was and let me freely express that. Feeling sorry for anyone who has an Anita Bryant like grand parent in their lives. Invite her, but sit her at the table with all the pies.
yendor808
Yes, absolutely! Invite her sad, sagging and hateful ass. Just make sure all the wedding guests are lined up to greet her. Each eager and waiting to deliver an air-borne fresh “fruit” pie.
Doug
It’s amazing to me that this many years have gone by and AB still is as unlightened as ever. You’d think she’d have educated herself a little more about gay people by now.
Rikki Roze
As a Boy Scout (Eagle!) in the early 1960’s I attended a National Jamboree at Valley Forge. Anita B was the celebrity guest who spoke and performed on the main stage. I remember nothing of her speech or performance. Little did she know what was going on in the Boy Scouts. The organization has had so many abuse of minors by scout leaders lawsuits brought against it that it has now claimed bankruptcy. I never had “to do” with any scout leaders but I sure had fun with some fellow scouts at the jamboree.