90. The UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack

A Jaded Gay

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.
Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 17. Mobsters & Mos: How the Mafia Owned Gay Nightlife
• Listen to Episode 61. The Pulse Nightclub Shooting
• Listen to Episode 63. The Stonewall Riots

Additional Resources:

• The UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack, New Orleans: 50 Years Later
• Upstairs Lounge: Gay Culture & the Metropolitan Community Church
• 50 Years After Deadly Up Stairs Lounge Fire: New Orleans LGBTQ+ Community Still Seeks Answers
• Upstairs Lounge Fire
• Arson Attack on the UpStairs Lounge
• UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack
• Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans
• The Upstairs Lounge Fire
• The Upstairs Lounge Fire - Luther Boggs
• Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: 32 Deaths
• Upstairs Lounge Arson, 1973: Aftermath
• This Day in History: UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack
• About 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
• Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: In Memoriam
• Upstairs Lounge Fire, 1973: News Coverage
• The UpStairs Lounge Fire 50th Anniversary
• A ‘Forgotten Tragedy’ At a New Orleans Gay Bar and a New Effort to Honor Victims’ Remains
• Unknown Victim

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Chapter

1. Snarky Opener (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:00:26)

3. The UpStairs Lounge Arson Attack (00:01:16)

4. Tarot (00:02:53)

5. The UpStairs Lounge (00:03:59)

6. 1970s New Orleans (00:04:55)

7. Metropolitan Community Church (00:05:49)

8. The Evening of June 24, 1973 (00:06:07)

9. The Fire (00:06:58)

10. Health and Safety Concerns (00:07:53)

11. The Deadliest Incident of Violence Against LGBTQ+ People in the United States (00:08:36)

12. Metropolitan Community Church Suffers Losses (00:08:49)

13. Homophobic Aftermath (00:09:41)

14. Police Investigation of Roger Dale Nunez (00:12:37)

15. 50th Anniversary (00:14:24)

16. The Four Unclaimed Bodies (00:15:09)

17. Episode Closing (00:17:28)

18. Connect with A Jaded Gay (00:20:23)