Giving Voice: Dr. Emily Suzanne Johnson

11/10/21 • 22 min

For this episode of Giving Voice, host Lindsey Beckley talks with Dr. Emily Suzanne Johnson, Assistant Professor of History at Ball State University. Her Washington Post article "The Myth that has Shaped the Christian Right and the LGBTQ Rights Movement for Four Decades," examines the assumption that protests against Anita Bryant's anti-gay crusade led directly to the failure of her career.

Transcripts and show notes are available at blog.history.in.gov.

Transcripts and show notes are available at blog.history.in.gov.

Previous Episode

Petals, Not Pies: Queer Hoosiers Protest Anita Bryant

On October 14, 1977, gay rights activist Thom Higgins reserved his place in history when he threw a pie in the face of anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant during a Des Moines, Iowa press conference. When Bryant made her way to Indiana less than two weeks later for a rally, gay activists welcomed her not with a pie in the face, but with Hoosier kindness. In this episode, we examine Hoosier’s reactions to Bryant’s appearances in the state during the early years of the fight for gay rights.

Next Episode

Santa Claus, Indiana: Where It's Christmas Every Day

“Nestled in the wooded hills of southern Indiana, lies a land of fantasy...where it’s Christmas every day.”

That place is Santa Claus, Indiana. On this episode, we take a tour of the oddly named Indiana town that embraces the holiday spirit all year round. Join us!

Find a transcript and show notes for this episode here!