Anita Bryant, the advocate, braves criticism.

Singer battles gay rights

Anita Bryant: 'Our kids are in jeopardy'

By Jim Treloar

In Nazi Germany, Jews were led to the gas chambers wearing armbands with a yellow star of David. Their companions in death were another group of people. Their armbands carried a lavender pyramid.

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These were Germany's homosexuals. The similarity is providing American homosexuals with dramatic and emotional argument in a battle they are waging for civil rights.

They want the same freedom from discrimination that is enjoyed by other minorities the same opportunities in housing and employment that have been won over the years by

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The battle lines are clearly drawn in Miami. The issue whether homosexuals should be granted civil rights in Miami has split the metropolitan area in two. A special referendum on the issue will be held on June 7.

The most conspicuous battler is Anita Bryant, who has captured national attention with her outspoken views against any legal recognition of

racial, religious and nationality groups.

This includes the right to become: teachers and Big Brother volunteers. Some say it even includes the right to

homosexual rights. Her stance is based upon her interpretation of the Bible and her concern as a parent.

Jim Treloar, writer for the Detroit "News," went to Miami to find out about Miss Bryant and those who oppose her efforts.

This part of a two-part series explores Miss Bryant's background and presents her views on the controversy that has enflamed the Miami area.)

marry someone of the same sex and to adopt children.

When they are opposed, the homosexuals haul out the gas chamber story and cry "Fascist!”

As a result of aggressive politiking, they have in a remarkably short time-seen the passage of new laws, ordinances and charter revisions that spell out homosexual rights in 36 cities and counties all with hardly a whisper of dissent.

Refusing to hire a homosexual is against the law now in Detroit, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Madison, Seattle, San Francisco, the District of Columbia, and many smaller cities, most of them university towns.

But in Miami, Fla., the "gay rights movement" has run into unrelenting opposition from singer Anita Bryant,

Continued on Page 2

Anita Bryant, the singer, sells orange juice.