It’s Pride Month, and in Louisiana and around the world, there are all sorts of parades, concerts and events that celebrate LGBTQ+ identities.But in New Orleans, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge Fire, when arson took the lives of 32 people at a gay bar in the French Quarter. No one was ever convicted of this crime. This year a coalition of local organizations, spearheaded by the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, will present a weekend of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragic 1973 UpStairs Lounge fire.
Frank Perez, executive director for the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and local historian, tells us more about this event and highlights key moments in queer history in the Crescent City.
Today’s episode of Louisiana Considered was hosted by Alana Schreiber. Our digital editor is Katelyn Umholtz and our engineers are Garrett Pittman and Aubry Procell.
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