Retro Report on PBS

- In celebration of LGBTQ History Month, we recognize the trailblazers who changed the future of gay rights.

- Hola, I'm Mike Pence.

- [Narrator] Hola to this little-known Indiana politician who clearly embraces diversity in all its forms.

- Marriage is recognized as between a man and woman, and I think that's how it should remain.

- [Narrator] But some can't seem to stay out of what Mike Pence and his wife do with their lives.

- The Liberal news media have made an issue of the fact that your wife is going back to work.

Let the river run (dramatic drum) - [Narrator] That's just like the media, making a huge deal out of the fact Pence's wife is a working woman.

- Mike Pence's wife, Karen, has returned to teaching at a Christian school where gay students and teachers are not welcome.

- An opportunity for, - [Narrator] Mike Pence, one of the best for Indiana, which for him included signing a bill allowing businesses to turn away gay customers.

(menacing music) But this turned out to be a tactical error.

- [News Presenter 1] Thousands rallied to express their displeasure with the governor.

- [News Presenter 2] CEO's from Apple to Yelp lashing out.

- [News Presenter 3] Canceling all programs requiring our customers and employees to travel to Indiana.

- [News Presenter 4] After repeatedly defending the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, governor Mike Pence conceded the law should be changed.

- [Narrator] He accidentally mobilized advocates for equality, whom managed to get the law amended, if only there was some way Pence could've known this might happen.

(flashback) (casual guitar music) Way back when Mike Pence was still saying "Ola" in his baby voice, Anita Bryant who had obiquitous of Florida Orange Juice.

- Come to Florida sunshine dream, for fresh tasting orange juice, naturally.

- [Narrator] But orange juice wasn't the only thing on which Anita could concentrate.

- The opposition to the gay's is being led by the singer, Anita Bryant.

- There are evil forces, disguised as something good.

(screams) - Watch it.

(fun jazzy music) - [Narrator] Anita started dropping hints of activism in her commercials.

- [Anita] It's always 100% pure.

- [Narrator] Using subliminal messaging, to promote heterosexuality.

- It's an abomination, to practice homosexuality.

- [Narrator] A clear authority on appropriate sexual relationships, Anita was the perfect person to lead a campaign against an ordinance that would allow gay people equal rights and housing and hiring.

As Anita was minding her own business, simply making orange juice ads and telling gay people how to live their lives.

Demonstrators began voicing objections.

- We're met by protests and all kinds of problems and-- (crowd in shock) - It suddenly became clear, Anita's activism had an unexpected consequence.

- The nation has not heard the last of Anita Bryant and the national gay community seems to want it that way.

- I think that she is doing more for the gay community, than anyone else on this planet.

- [Narrator] Though Anita meant to advocate for heterosexuals - This is what heterosexuals do fellas.

(crowd laughs) - [Narrator] She inadvertently helped people to see that LGBTQ equality was good for America.

- Not bad.

- The stories of Anita Bryant and Mike Pence are cautionary tales for public figures, proven that drawing attention to a cause, may actually inspire the opposite, if people think you are on the wrong side of history.

- [Narrator] Though Mike Pence may never support LGBTQ rights, the more he opposes them, the more popular they get.

As for Anita Bryant, fighting gay rights caused her, her job and by 1980 orange juice commercials featured a far less controversial spokesperson.

- This is TreeSweet, the orange juice I grew up on.

(outro music)