The UpStairs Lounge arson attack was one of the deadliest tragedies in LGBTQ+ history, yet for decades it remained largely ignored and overlooked. In this video, we break down what happened in New Orleans in 1973, the devastating aftermath, and how societal homophobia shaped the response to the attack.

Remembering the victims of the UpStairs Lounge fire highlights the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ history, honoring queer resilience, and recognizing the lives and communities too often erased from public memory.

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Listen to the full podcast episode: https://www.ajadedgay.com/90-the-upstairs-lounge-arson-attack/

Read more on the topic in my blog: https://www.ajadedgay.com/blog/remembering-the-upstairs-lounge-arson-attack-the-untold-tragedy-that-shaped-lgbtq-history/

Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ajadedgay

Sources:
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: https://www.advocate.com/crime/2018/11/15/unknown-victim-deadly-1973-arson-gay-bar-finally-identified

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