ABSTRACT
The first city in the country to formally adopt a policy banning discrimination based on sexual orientation was East Lansing, Michigan, home of Michigan State University, in 1972. Although twenty-eight cities had adopted nondiscrimination laws by 1977, several had them repealed at the voting booth. But the real beginning of the backlash against these laws occurred when singer and Miss America runner-up Anita Bryant appeared before the Dade County Commission in January 1977 and stated that the proposed gay rights ordinance was a threat to the rights of county residents. Political campaigns were new to Judge Victoria Sigler, and she was unsure about raising money, hiring a staff, and creating a message. She attended a training session for candidates sponsored by the Victory Fund and led by veteran campaign expert Dave Fleischer. Sigler understands that courtrooms often are hostile places for gays and lesbians, with gays getting a disproportionate share of unkind remarks in court.
