Upstairs Inferno

Prior to the Orlando shooting in 2016, the fire at the Upstairs Lounge was the worst mass murder of LGBTQ people...and it's a story that few even in the community know.

Dallas filmmaker Robert L. Camina (of Raid on the Rainbow Lounge fame) recounts the story of the friendly New Orleans gay bar and the night that ended in a devastating fire. He makes us care about the victims. He interviews survivors, family members and those who fought to bring recognition to the event for what it was: a brutal, horrific MURDER of innocent people.

In short, a top notch documentary!

The 1973 arson of the UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans was the deadliest day for LGBT people in America until the massacre at Pulse. During a beer bust on Sunday, June 24, 1973, someone soaked the wooden staircase to the lounge in lighter fluid and set it ablaze.The fire trapped around half of the patrons, who couldn't make it to an exit. And now Upstairs Inferno reminds us all of the darkest day in gay history in America, a day that all Americans should never forget when 32 lives were lost. Thank you Robert Camina for bringing this film to life and sharing the history of that day at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.

At a time when the rights of many American Citizens were still being denied or challenged, a gay nightclub was intentionally set afire. That would have been horrific enough, but how the community reacted was even more chilling. the story of those who died, those who survived and the effects it had on community and family will leave the viewer heartbroken, aghast and incredulous. It was at the time, and until recently, the largest gay mass murder in history. The film does remind us how far we have come, but in light of recent events, it also reminds us how far we have to go. This is a story ripped right from the headlines and yet, one very few people know about. Camina takes a difficult subject and reveals the truth of what happened to human beings, who had simply gone out for a night of fun with friends.

Upstairs Inferno tells an important story through a cohesive, supported narrative. Considerate references maintain courtesy in respect to all parties involved while causal and temporal links weave a thought-provoking pattern of LGBTQ treatment and this community's seemingly complicated responses, whether logical, reasonable or simply justifiable. Specific attention is given to the evolving complexity of mental states as they seek to attempt resolution where none can be found. Technically speaking, the sound quality and camera work lend to the story and the music is not distracting. Editing must have been a difficult process as I was left wanting more - not more information just haunted in a way. This led me to seek additional stories involving others' rights. Today's political climate demands that specific attention be paid to gay, et al. rights. Why? The LGBTQ community has historically been treated as second class citizens, or worse. The only way to improve treatment and earn truly equal rights is to highlight this history and take action on definitive mistreatment, via target or omission, as a unified group. Many LGBTQ individuals don't understand the need for organized support as they are ignorant of historic facts - hence the need for thoughtful documentaries. Gay lives matter - not more than other lives - though the improvement of the dignity of LGBTQ does matter more than many established groups that already receive full rights and fair treatment. This documentary is a must-see - not preachy but inspiring and certainly motivating.

A heartbreaking account of the horrifying fire in a gay bar is very well produced with rare archive footage and photos. This is history that needs to be told. So many people (including myself) had no idea that this fire had occurred. Though uncomfortable to watch it's a MUST SEE for LGBTQ history.