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While on his way to work one morning, Chris Benitez glances at the headline in his morning paper and ponders the gutted building in the French Quarter where a tragic fire claimed the lives of 32 individuals the previous night. The UpStairs Lounge, a popular gay bar in New Orleans’ renowned French Quarter, became the site of a devastating arson fire on June 24, 1973, resulting in the death of 32 people and injuring 15 others. Surprisingly, this deadly incident remained relatively unknown until the Pulse mass shooting in 2016, overshadowing it as the largest mass murder of LGBTQ+ individuals in U.S. history.
What compounds the tragedy is the city’s subsequent failure to adequately investigate or acknowledge the fire once it became known that the victims were part of the LGBTQ+ community. It was only last year that the New Orleans City Council finally acknowledged and honored the victims, issuing a formal apology to their loved ones for the city’s inadequate response. The individual suspected of starting the fire, Roger Dale Nunez, was believed to be gay himself and a frequent visitor to the UpStairs Lounge. Witnesses at the bar recall Nunez being kicked out on the evening of June 24, which allegedly fueled his fury. He hastily purchased lighter fluid from a nearby drugstore and used it to ignite the club’s downstairs entryway. However, when someone opened the door at the top, the fire quickly spread throughout the building. Some trapped patrons attempted to escape through windows, but were hindered by burglar bars. Others managed to find an exit through the back.
Survivors of the fire not only had to deal with the trauma of the incident itself, but also the city officials’ callous response and the indifference or hostility of their neighbors. The UpStairs Lounge had served as a safe haven for queer individuals, a place where they could socialize, enjoy drag shows, and even attend services for the Metropolitan Community Church. Sadly, safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community are once again dwindling. The ACLU reports that there are nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in the U.S., each with the potential to restrict their civil rights, freedom of speech, access to healthcare, and educational resources.
“The Fire UpStairs” is a riveting new podcast that delves into the fire, its aftermath, and the prevalent attitudes surrounding it that still hold relevance today. The show features interviews and archival footage, providing a comprehensive analysis of the incident. Joey Gray, the host and co-producer of the podcast, sheds light on the tragedy while answering questions from HuffPost. Gray provides insight into New Orleans, where the city is finally recognizing and commemorating the UpStairs Lounge tragedy.
Prior to listening to your podcast, “The Fire UpStairs,” I had never heard of the UpStairs Lounge fire. Why do you think this tragedy isn’t as well-known as others?
In my opinion, the lack of awareness surrounding this event can be attributed directly to the deliberate refusal of the city and local authorities to acknowledge the fire when it occurred. From the very beginning, there was a clear and collective effort to sweep this tragedy under the rug and pretend it never happened. This disregard was evident immediately, as Rev. Bill Larson’s charred body was left uncovered in the window of the bar for hours after the fire. The title of Johnny Townsend’s book, “Let the Faggots Burn,” reportedly originated from a quote overhead by one of the first responders at the scene. City officials made no official statements, no public mourning days were declared, and influential clergymen remained silent, offering no support or condolences. Furthermore, the local authorities mishandled the criminal investigation, allowing the arson case to go unresolved. Given these circumstances, it is sadly unsurprising that it took many years for general awareness of the fire to develop. This lack of recognition can be attributed to a culture rooted in homophobia and bigotry, as well as the shame experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals that kept them silent and hidden. Thus, the UpStairs Lounge fire, unlike the Stonewall uprising, was not a prominent moment in queer history, but it was nonetheless significant.
Why do you believe Roger Dale Nunez, the alleged perpetrator of the fire, was never charged?
Charging someone for this crime, especially an individual who was clearly the perpetrator, would have drawn attention to the fire and the lives lost within the LGBTQ+ community. This attention would have forced the city and local authorities to acknowledge their failure in handling the incident. Essentially, Nunez was never charged because authorities did not want to bring more attention to the fire. Tragically, justice was forever forestalled when Nunez took his own life 18 months after the incident.
One survivor of the fire stated, “The hate crime wasn’t who started the fire… The hate crime was the reaction after the fire.” Would you say this sentiment resonates throughout your podcast?
Certainly, a prevailing theme of the podcast is the aftermath of the fire and the UpStairs Lounge’s role in the broader narrative of queer liberation and socio-political progress that followed. However, it would be incorrect to label the UpStairs Lounge arson as a hate crime. While we can only speculate on the motivations and mindset of the alleged arsonist, it is important to note that he himself was a member of the LGBTQ+ community, not an outsider attacking solely because it was a gay bar. It is possible that he harbored hatred that night, but even survivors of the fire have expressed doubts about his intentions or understanding of the extent of death and destruction he would cause. Nevertheless, the broader reaction to the fire demonstrates intentional disregard and mishandling, along with blatantly callous and dismissive commentary. However, it may be too far-reaching to attribute this behavior solely to hatred. It is more apt to view it as a reflection of the era and an outdated mindset. In essence, this was a crime of apathy.
The UpStairs Lounge went beyond being just a bar. What other roles did it serve within the community?
Many accounts of the UpStairs Lounge liken it to a “gay Cheers,” a genuine place where everyone knew your name. This atmosphere was no accident; one of the bar manager’s famous house rules was that staff had to know a patron by name before they could be served. This sense of care and concern created an environment that embraced all individuals while also ensuring their safety. The UpStairs Lounge was more than just a bar; it was a second home for its patrons, a space where they could truly be themselves and find acceptance.
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