Tom Higgins — the man who creampied Anita Bryant
Thomas Lawrence Higgins, writer and gay rights activist, carved his place in LGBTQ+ history not only by coining the term “gay pride” but also through one unforgettable act of defiance. On October 14, 1977, in Des Moines, Iowa, Higgins thrust himself into the national spotlight by delivering a banana cream pie squarely into the face of anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant, live on television.
Bryant, who died Dec. 16 at the age of 84, was a pop singer turned vehement opponent of gay rights, was at the height of her campaign against LGBTQ+ equality. Her “Save Our Children” coalition sought to repeal anti-discrimination ordinances, framing queer people as threats to societal morals, and gay lifestyles as “an abomination.”
Higgins and his friend Bruce Brockway, fellow activists in the fight for gay liberation, saw an opportunity to counter Bryant’s vitriol.
The fateful day unfolded during a pre-concert press conference where Bryant detailed plans for “Anita Bryant Centers,” institutions aimed at “rehabilitating” homosexuals. As Bryant spoke, Higgins seized the moment, standing up and pushing the pie into her face with the declaration, “Save our rights!”
Bryant’s shock quickly turned to tears, as she claimed the act epitomized the “intolerance” of her opponents, though she quipped, “At least it’s a fruit pie,” making a pun on the derogatory slur of “fruit” for a gay man and a reference to her work as a spokesperson for fruit companies. As the cameras rolled and pie filling clung to her cheeks, she began to pray on-air. “We’re praying for him to be delivered from his deviant lifestyle, Father” — then broke down into tears.
Higgins and his companions exited the studio, answering questions from a media captivated by the dramatic protest. In a retaliatory gesture, Bryant’s husband, Bob Green, took an unused pie from the group and slammed it into Higgins’ face.
Higgins faced no criminal charges, but the incident became a cultural flashpoint. While Bryant sought to cast herself as a victim, Higgins’ action resonated with LGBTQ+ communities as a bold, symbolic stand against oppression. The pieing underscored the frustration and urgency felt by activists confronting Bryant’s damaging rhetoric, framing the fight for equality in sharp relief.
Higgins’ legacy, however, extended far beyond that iconic moment. From his early days coining “gay pride” in Minnesota to co-founding the Positively Gay Cuban Refugee Task Force, Higgins dedicated his life to advocating for marginalized voices. In 1969 Higgins became the first person in Minnesota to be granted conscientious objector status from the Vietnam War.
His audacious act against Bryant remains a vivid example of grassroots activism, blending humor, defiance, and a demand for justice. Higgins’ life, though cut short by AIDS in 1994, continues to inspire generations to fight for their rights with courage and creativity.
