Remembering the UpStairs Lounge: The U.S.A.’s Largest LGBT Massacre Happened 40 Years Ago Today

[EjGlows]

*not a thread to bash religion*

Thirty-two people lost their lives that Sunday 40 years ago — Luther Boggs, Inez Warren, and Warren’s sons among them.

Oftentimes, we think of atrocities of scale to exist outside of our political and geographical boundaries, when the reality is that hate, evil, whatever you want to call it, is right here and all around us.

On the eve of this horrific tragedy, I urge you to think about a few things:

1. "It's just the internet" - Words, the proliferation and spread of those words is powerful. Printed word on screen or paper is compelling.

2. Kindness - Be kind to you fellow man

3. There's still a lot of work to be done by humanity and we're all a part of that patchwork.

We have come a long way and we're all responsible for creating a healthy (and safe) environment for all.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friend...st-lgbt-massacre-happened-40-years-ago-today/

"Homophobia being what it was, several families declined to claim the bodies and one church after another refused to bury or memorialize the dead. Three victims were never identified or claimed, and were interred at the local potter’s field."

Please note: graphic images

:rose

 

[Lunch Box]

"Homophobia being what it was, several families declined to claim the bodies and one church after another refused to bury or memorialize the dead. Three victims were never identified or claimed, and were interred at the local potter’s field."

This is such a chillingly sad and troubling statement. Wow.... :|

 

[rsrider]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-musicians-attacked-hate-crime-20150623-story.html

The fear of the "other" is very prevalent.

 

[jdhu]

If this is a RIP-type thread, let me know. I hadn't heard of the attack, read this from Wiki...

The UpStairs Lounge arson attack took place on June 24, 1973 at a gay bar on the second floor of the three-story building located at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] Thirty-two people died as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. The official cause is listed as "undetermined origin.[2] The most likely suspect, a gay man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier in the day, was never charged.

A horrible tragedy is a horrible tragedy, and the image of the pastor "fused" to the window is...well I don't have words.

But, IF the above is true, then "LGBT massacre" just rings a little off to me. Sure, most of the victims seem to be LGBT, but IF the arsonist/murderer was also one .....anyway, article implies a hate crime, and I guess a member of a group could also perpetrate a hate crime against the group. It's just a little misleading to me, especially with the caution in the OP about "hate" speech.

 

[Lunch Box]

Not sure I see a strong parallel there, rsrider. The (terrible) choice to wear skinny jeans is just that: a choice. Being LGBT is not a choice and is much more like skin color than fashion choice. :dunno

 

[corndog67]

I didn't realize a fashion statement (skinny jeans) pissed some people off so bad. Just another case of someone's parents who should not have bred.

 

[afm199]

If this is a RIP-type thread, let me know. I hadn't heard of the attack, read this from Wiki...

The UpStairs Lounge arson attack took place on June 24, 1973 at a gay bar on the second floor of the three-story building located at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] Thirty-two people died as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. The official cause is listed as "undetermined origin.[2] The most likely suspect, a gay man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier in the day, was never charged.

A horrible tragedy is a horrible tragedy, and the image of the pastor "fused" to the window is...well I don't have words.

But, IF the above is true, then "LGBT massacre" just rings a little off to me. Sure, most of the victims seem to be LGBT, but IF the arsonist/murderer was also one .....anyway, article implies a hate crime, and I guess a member of a group could also perpetrate a hate crime against the group. It's just a little misleading to me, especially with the caution in the OP about "hate" speech.

Indeed, it's good of you to lawyer it up and state that someone who was a suspect may have had a hand in it, so the premise is unworthy.

(Sometimes, and more lately, you make statements so lacking in humanity and so reeking of lawyerdom that I begin to dread reading your posts.)

 

[EjGlows]

If this is a RIP-type thread, let me know. I hadn't heard of the attack, read this from Wiki...

The UpStairs Lounge arson attack took place on June 24, 1973 at a gay bar on the second floor of the three-story building located at 141 Chartres Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] Thirty-two people died as a result of fire or smoke inhalation. The official cause is listed as "undetermined origin.[2] The most likely suspect, a gay man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier in the day, was never charged.

A horrible tragedy is a horrible tragedy, and the image of the pastor "fused" to the window is...well I don't have words.

But, IF the above is true, then "LGBT massacre" just rings a little off to me. Sure, most of the victims seem to be LGBT, but IF the arsonist/murderer was also one .....anyway, article implies a hate crime, and I guess a member of a group could also perpetrate a hate crime against the group. It's just a little misleading to me, especially with the caution in the OP about "hate" speech.

You never take off that hat do you? :rolleyes

Did you ever hear of this? Think about why you didn't, why some of the family members never claimed the bodies, why do we like to filter atrocities because we don't want "those people" to exist or have value. That is my point.

That kid that shot up the church, didn't he attend bible study to gain access? Speculation is real tough, ain't it?

 

[Lunch Box]

Don't let him bait you into anger, Erin. Not worth it. I shall take a moment to re-read the article about this tragic event and will spend a bit of time silently remembering those who were lost. Ugh....

 

[jdhu]

You never take off that hat do you? :rolleyes

Did you ever hear of this? Think about why you didn't, why some of the family members never claimed the bodies, why do we like to filter atrocities because we don't want "those people" to exist or have value. That is my point.

That kid that shot up the church, didn't he attend bible study to gain access? Speculation is a real bitch, ain't it?

It's not about "the hat," and frankly, that's a weak fallback retort.

The article (I assume it's true) states that an LGBT member likely conducted the attack. Your OP is all cautionary about hate speech, HOMOPHOBIA, clearly implying the attack was based on that.

Yes, it matters who attacked, not for :rose purposes, but if we are talking about homophobia.

 

[jdhu]

Don't let him bait you into anger, Erin. Not worth it. I shall take a moment to re-read the article about this tragic event and will spend a bit of time silently remembering those who were lost. Ugh....

Ridiculous. Bait? I'll leave so that "je suis" doesn't have another martyr.

 

[Lunch Box]

Lawyer-boy, the homphobia angle was largely with respect to the following statement.

"Homophobia being what it was, several families declined to claim the bodies and one church after another refused to bury or memorialize the dead. Three victims were never identified or claimed, and were interred at the local potter’s field."

Who perpetrated the act has absolutely nothing to do with the above statement. Nothing.

 

[afm199]

Ridiculous. Bait? I'll leave so that "je suis" doesn't have another martyr.

:rolleyes

 

[jdhu]

Indeed, it's good of you to lawyer it up and state that someone who was a suspect may have had a hand in it, so the premise is unworthy.

(Sometimes, and more lately, you make statements so lacking in humanity and so reeking of lawyerdom that I begin to dread reading your posts.)

Then, don't read them? To be perfectly honest, I really don't care what you think. I know that I write these posts sincerely and not to offend. Lately, you and the other would-be martyrs seem far too willing to shout people down.

Once again, feel free to ignore me.

 

[bcv_west]

But, IF the above is true, then "LGBT massacre" just rings a little off to me. Sure, most of the victims seem to be LGBT, but IF the arsonist/murderer was also one .....anyway, article implies a hate crime, and I guess a member of a group could also perpetrate a hate crime against the group. It's just a little misleading to me, especially with the caution in the OP about "hate" speech.

mas·sa·cre
ˈmasəkər/
noun
1.
an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people.

...unless your argument is that LGBT don't count as people.

:rose

 

[jdhu]

Lawyer-boy, the homphobia angle was largely with respect to the following statement.

"Homophobia being what it was, several families declined to claim the bodies and one church after another refused to bury or memorialize the dead. Three victims were never identified or claimed, and were interred at the local potter’s field."

Who perpetrated the act has absolutely nothing to do with the above statement. Nothing.

I can understand that part.

I want to say you are better than resorting to childish retorts, but I guess I don't know that for a fact.

 

[afm199]

Then, don't read them? To be perfectly honest, I really don't care what you think. I know that I write these posts sincerely and not to offend. Lately, you and the other would-be martyrs seem far too willing to shout people down.

Once again, feel free to ignore me.

You write them sincerely? :laughing

I'm a martyr? And belong to would be martyr club? :rofl:rofl That seems to be your role right now. The so called "voice of reason" being attacked by the so called "group of stone throwers". Only you're the instigator. The guy saying: "Throw stones at me, I can take it". I'm disappointed in you, you've got better inside you.

Kid, you're just another pothole in the road to progress.

 

[jdhu]

mas·sa·cre
ˈmasəkər/
noun
1.
an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people.

...unless your argument is that LGBT don't count as people.

:rose

Yup, understood, the victims were largely LGBT apparently.

If, for example, a black man kills a group of black people for what seem like personal reasons, and someone states that it's a crime against black people, sure, that's technically true, but it's a really incomplete statement.

 

[Lunch Box]

I can understand that part.

I want to say you are better than resorting to childish retorts, but I guess I don't know that for a fact.

Childish retorts like the silly ones about would-be martyrs and such? Like those? Yeah....

 

[jdhu]

You write them sincerely? :laughing

I'm a martyr? And belong to would be martyr club? :rofl:rofl

Kid, you're just another pothole in the road to progress.

Right. Tell you what, I'll take the first step and ignore. Take care.