Browse Items (123 total)

Dr. Clayton Delery, a Louisiana native and professor at The Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, has recently written this essay comparing the response of New Orleans city and religious leaders to the Rault Center fire in November 1972…

This book by UFMCC founder and long-time moderator Troy Perry includes his recollections of being in New Orleans following the fire.

TIME magazine published a major story on the 40th anniversary (July 1, 2013 issue).

Filmmaker Royd Anderson produced a documentary film that examines the tragedy of the Upstairs Lounge Fire (2013).

This detailed account of the early years of the political movement for LGBT rights—1969 to 1980—includes a chapter on the beginnings of MCC and how Troy Perry and other MCC leaders responded to the Upstairs Lounge tragedy.

New Orleans activist and writer Townsend interviews a large number of survivors and other persons associated with the Upstairs Lounge tragedy to produce this anecdotal account of the persons who were involved in and effected by this catastrophe.

The Oregonian picks up wire stories about the fire on the following day also. 

Playwright/composer Wayne Self wrote and produced this original musical drama portraying events around the Upstairs Lounge Fire to mark its 40th anniversary.

The Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) presents this report to the Clinton Administration’s White House Conference on Hate Crimes in November, 1997. The report includes a partial catalog of hate crimes against ministers and congregations in the…

The August 1st edition of The Advocate includes a long article describing the memorial services held in MCC congregations and gay communities in cities all around the U.S.

Adam Roland Fontenot, 32, linguist and partner of Douglas “Buddy" Rasmussen, Upstairs bartender who led several patrons to safety.

Solomon arranges a newspaper announcement of the organizational meeting for the MCC Mission.

Newspaper announcement of melodramatic production at the Upstairs Theater.

A letter to the editor by a closeted gay person raises questions about the discounting of gay people in the aftermath of the fire.

Brief story in the Seattle Times addresses questions of why this tragedy occurred as well as memorial service led by Troy Perry at St. George’s Episcopal Church.

Newspaper prints a longer article quoting anti-gay Baptist preacher Bob Harrington.

Charred remains of the main room of the bar, facing Chartres Street. Most of the victims were found at these barred windows.

Floor Plan of bar drawn after the fire, showing the three rooms and escape route along with location of fatalities.

Bartender Buddy Rasmussen and the interior bar area of the Upstairs Lounge, Mardi Gras 1973.

The coverage in the Boston Herald-American illustrates the sensationalizing aspects of media coverage of gays at this time.