Remembering the Upstairs Lounge: Artist Skylar Fein Resurrects a Tragic Event in New Orleans’ Gay History

Great article on Towleroad.com about an arsonist set fire in New Orleans that killed 32 gay men at the Upstairs Lounge bar in 1973.  The police never really investigated the crime, the newspapers didn’t cover it and some families even refused to claim the bodies of their family members out of shame and denial that they were gay.  Another piece of our history we should not forget…

From Towleroad.com:

In June 1973, a fire broke out in a gay bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The fire at the Upstairs Lounge took 32 lives — bodies burned beyond recognition. Approximately 20 people escaped the blaze, which was set by an arsonist. The likely suspect was a customer who had been thrown out of the bar the night of the fire.

Press coverage of the fire, which was the worst in New Orleans history, was brief, sensational. No city official would make a statement about it.

So artist Skylar Fein (pictured, below) has decided to make one.

Remembering the Upstairs Lounge: Artist Skylar Fein Resurrects a Tragic Event in New Orleans’ Gay History – Towleroad, More than gay news. More gay men.