The Up Stairs Lounge Fire | New Orleans: 50 Years Later

In 1973, the deadliest fire in New Orleans’ history occurred in a small gay bar at 604 Iberville Street in the French Quarter. The Up Stairs Lounge was a refuge of love and acceptance in the New Orleans community until, in a matter of 19 minutes, it became a site of tragedy and rejection. Thirty-two people perished in the fire, and the New Orleans LGBT+ community was changed forever. At the time, local police did not consider the tragedy a top priority. One officer told a reporter, “This was, after all, a queer bar.” No elected official responded publicly to the fire. Archbishop Philip Hannan denied the victims Catholic funerals. Radio commentators joked that the victims’ remains should be buried in fruit jars. The arson at the Up Stairs Lounge remains officially unsolved. Featuring moderator and facilitator, Frank Perez, with contributing panelists Courtney Sharp, Robert W. Fieseler, and Clayton Delery. Presented by: American LGBTQ+ Museum in partnership with the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. https://americanlgbtqmuseum.org https://lgbtarchiveslouisiana.org