Upstairs Inferno screening @ the Akron Public Library

Festival sponsors include The Knight Foundation, TomboyX, Olivia Travel, The Akron Civic Theatre, Jilly’s Music Room, The Nightlight and LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland.

UPSTAIRS INFERNO is a full length film documenting the nearly forgotten UpStairs Lounge arson: an event that remained the “Largest Gay Mass Murder in U.S. History” for 43 years.

On June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire to the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar located on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. For over four decades, it was the deadliest single event to affect the gay community in U.S. history. Despite the staggering historical significance, few people know about the tragedy.

Thirty-two people were killed and some bodies were never identified. One-third of the New Orleans chapter of the Metropolitan Community Church were killed in the blaze, including two clergy.

The primary suspect was never charged with the crime. The tragedy did not stop at the loss of lives. There were also the delayed injuries: lost jobs, fear, public ridicule and severed families. The devastation was compounded by the homophobic reactions and utter lack of concern by the general public, government and religious leaders. The fire permanently altered lives and was the root of many lifelong struggles.