55: The UpStairs Lounge Fire

In 1973, a horrific fire killed 32 people in the gay bar, the Upstairs Lounge in New Orleans. When city and state officials and the churches turned their backs on the victims and survivors of the tragedy, the gay community rallied together. Today it is known as the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement in New Orleans. Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/55-the-upstairs-lounge-fireSuggested Reading: The Up Stairs Lounge Arson: Thirty-Two Deaths in a New Orleans Gay Bar, June 24, 1973 by Clayton Delery-Edwards & Let the Faggots Burn: The UpStairs Lounge Fire by Johnny TownsendWritten, hosted, produced by Erica KelleyResearched by Erica KelleyEdited by Chaes GrayOriginal Graphic Art by Coley Horner Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma RadioMerch | Donate | In the Media:https://southernfriedtruecrime.com @southfriedtruth (Twitter) @southernfriedtruecrime (Insta)https://www.facebook.com/southernfriedtruecrimehttps://www.youtube.com/southernfriedtruecrime