FACT #4

The largest mass killing of LGBTQIA+ people BEFORE the Pulse Nightclub Massacre in Orlando, Florida was the Upstairs Lounge massacre in New Orleans, Louisiana where 32 LGBTQIA+ people were murdered as a result of the bar being set on fire on the evening of June 24, 1973. With bars on the window and the roof exit door inadvertently locked after some patrons exited, the rest of the patrons burned to death.

Interested in learning more? Check out Victims are remembered on the 48th anniversary of the UpStairs Lounge arson attack, Prejudice & Pride: Revisiting the tragic fire that killed 32 in a New Orleans gay bar – YouTube.