The UpStairs Lounge arson attack took place on June 24 , 1973 at a gay bar located on the second floor of the three-story building at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans , Louisiana . Thirty-two people died as a result of fire or smoke inhalation . The official cause is still listed as " undetermined origin . The most likely suspect , a gay man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier in the day , was never charged . It was the deadliest arson attack in New Orleans and the deadliest attack on LGBT people in United States history . The reaction by the city and media following the attack was indifferent . Those seeking burial services for the dead were turned away by many churches , and several families refused to come forward to claim victims ' bodies out of shame . While most news outlets ignored the story , mentions of the incident in editorials and talk radio made light of the tragedy , mocking the victims because of their sexual orientation
UpStairs Lounge arson attack
UpStairs Lounge arson attack
History of gay men in the United States