On June 24, 1973, an arson fire ripped through the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It killed 32 people and, until the Orlando nightclub shooting, it was the deadliest attack on the LGBT community in U.S. history.
On June 24, 1973, an arson fire ripped through the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It killed 32 people and, until the Orlando nightclub shooting, it was the deadliest attack on the LGBT community in U.S. history.
New Orleans Times-Picayune/AP
Some patrons were able to escape through a little-known back exit, but most of the victims in the second-floor establishment died crowded near windows blocked by security bars.
Some patrons were able to escape through a little-known back exit, but most of the victims in the second-floor establishment died crowded near windows blocked by security bars.
Jack Thornell/AP
A rescue worker leans against a blackened window frame through which he helped remove charred bodies after the fire. Three victims were never identified; two others were never claimed by families.
A rescue worker leans against a blackened window frame through which he helped remove charred bodies after the fire. Three victims were never identified; two others were never claimed by families.
Eric Marrapodi/CNN
One man who escaped weeps as he is helped by New Orleans firefighters. He was with a group that was singing around the piano when the fire tore through the bar.
One man who escaped weeps as he is helped by New Orleans firefighters. He was with a group that was singing around the piano when the fire tore through the bar.
RL/AP
Firefighters offer aid to survivors outside the French Quarter bar at the corner of Chartres and Iberville Streets. It would be 30 years before a memorial plaque was placed to honor those who were killed that evening.
Firefighters offer aid to survivors outside the French Quarter bar at the corner of Chartres and Iberville Streets. It would be 30 years before a memorial plaque was placed to honor those who were killed that evening.
G.E. Arnold/AP