Browse Items (2617 total)

During its reporting on the Upstairs Lounge Fire, the national gay newsmagazine, The Advocate, publishes an editorial noting potential fire dangers in many gay bars, clubs and bathhouses.

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.

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.

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

The August 15th edition of The Advocate includes a detailed account of events around the U.S. raising funds for the New Orleans Memorial Fund as well as the slow progress of the official investigation.

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.

The August 1st edition of The Advocate continues analyzing what happened at the Upstairs Lounge and the responses from the gay community as well as city officials.

The July 18th edition of The Advocate looks at the Upstairs tragedy, called “Holocaust,” in great depth, drawing on perspectives from the New Orleans gay community.

Graphic showing the Upstairs Lounge and its patrons on June 24th and the course of the fire.

Three men who died in the fire were never identified.

Douglas Maxwell Williams, Jr., 20, truck driver in Waggaman, Louisiana.

Dr. Perry Lane Waters, Jr., 41, Jefferson Parish dentist. Several victims were his patients and were identified through his records.

Mrs. Willie Inez Warren, 59, housekeeper from Monroeville, Alabama, died along with her sons James Curtis Warren, 26, and Eddie Hosea Warren, 24, both from Pensacola, Florida.

Larry Stratton, 25, from East St. Louis.

George Steven “Bud” Matyi, 27, successful musician & MCC member; partner of Rod Wagener.

Leon Richard Maples, 31, auto mechanic visiting New Orleans from Jacksonville, Florida. (picture taken afternoon of fire.)

Duane George “Mitch” Mitchell (pictured on left), 31, beauty supply salesman and MCC assistant pastor, died going back into fire to save his partner, Louis Horace Broussard (see above). Mitch & Horace had dropped off Mitch’s sons at a nearby movie…

Robert K. Lumpkin, 29, from Mississippi.

Ferris LeBlanc, buried in Potter’s Field as no one claimed his remains.

Deacon William R. Larson, 47, interim pastor of MCC New Orleans, formerly a Methodist lay minister.