On Sunday, June 24, 1973, a gay bar in New Orleans was intentionally set ablaze, killing 32 people and injuring another 15. Fifty years later, despite ample evidence, no arrests have ever been made.
In this episode, we’re taking a look at the tragic events of the UpStairs Lounge arson attack, the pervasive discrimination and homophobia evident in the aftermath, and renewed efforts to locate four of the unclaimed bodies of victims recklessly buried in an unmarked grave.
Full Episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/90-the-upstairs-lounge-arson-attack/id1619338054?i=1000645979603
Related Episodes:
Listen to Episode 17. Mobsters & Mos: How the Mafia Owned Gay Nightlife
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-mobsters-mos-how-the-mafia-owned-gay-nightlife/id1619338054?i=1000575496788
Listen to Episode 61. The Pulse Nightclub Shooting
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/61-the-pulse-nightclub-shooting/id1619338054?i=1000616801115
Listen to Episode 63. The Stonewall Riots
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/63-the-stonewall-riots/id1619338054?i=1000618462454
Additional Resources:
The UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack, New Orleans: 50 Years Later
https://americanlgbtqmuseum.org/event/upstairs-lounge-arson-attack-new-orleans-50-years-later/?date=202307251830
Upstairs Lounge: Gay Culture & the Metropolitan Community Church
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/510?tour=39&index=0
50 Years After Deadly Up Stairs Lounge Fire: New Orleans LGBTQ+ Community Still Seeks Answers
https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2023/06/23/new-orleans-upstairs-lounge-fire
Upstairs Lounge Fire
https://neworleanshistorical.org/tours/show/39
Arson Attack on the UpStairs Lounge
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1431
UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UpStairs_Lounge_arson_attack
Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Community_Church_of_New_Orleans
The Upstairs Lounge Fire
https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/upstairs-lounge-fire/gallery?upstairs-lounge
The Upstairs Lounge Fire - Luther Boggs
https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/upstairs-lounge-fire/item/76
Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: 32 Deaths
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/511?tour=39&index=1
Upstairs Lounge Arson, 1973: Aftermath
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/512?tour=39&index=3
This Day in History: UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/upstairs-lounge-arson-new-orleans
About the UpStairs Lounge Fire
https://lgbtarchiveslouisiana.org/the-upstairs-lounge-fire/
The Up Stairs Lounge Arson: Thirty-Two Deaths in a New Orleans Gay Bar, June 24, 1973 by Clayton Delery-Edwards
https://www.amazon.com/Up-Stairs-Lounge-Arson-Thirty-Two/dp/0786479531
Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: In Memoriam
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/513?tour=39&index=4
Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: News Coverage
https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/517?tour=39&index=2
The UpStairs Lounge Fire 50th Anniversary
https://lgbtarchiveslouisiana.org/program/
A ‘Forgotten Tragedy’ At a New Orleans Gay Bar and a New Effort to Honor Victims’ Remains
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-forgotten-tragedy-at-a-new-orleans-gay-bar-and-a-new-effort-to-honor-victims-remains
Unknown Victim of Deadly 1973 Arson in Gay Bar Finally Identified
https://www.advocate.com/crime/2018/11/15/unknown-victim-deadly-1973-arson-gay-bar-finally-identified
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/ajadedgaypod
