UPSTAIRS LOUNGE FIRE MEMORIAL SERVICE - 40 YEARS AGO TODAY

 

On Saturday afternoon, I attended the memorial service for the people who died in the fire at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans. The cover of the service bulletin shows the names of the people who died in the fire.  The listing of  "Unknown White Man" (three in number) is especially poignant.  Fr Bill Richardson, the then rector of St George, who presided at a memorial service for the dead a short time after the tragedy, was also remembered.

Fox8 in New Orleans covered the event. (Don't turn away at the "Fox" label; the news coverage by the local station is quite different from Fox News on the cable channel.)

June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire at the bottom of the staircase leading to the Upstairs Lounge, a known gay bar.  "The bartender at the time got 20 victims out of the back of the bar," explained Wil Coleman of Pride New Orleans Celebration.

Flames trapped patrons on the second floor.  Others could see out the windows and reach out, but they couldn't physically get out.  "The windows were all barred and people couldn't get out." said New Orleans resident Mary Christie.  "What a horrible thing, and the fact that they had no sprinkler systems," she said.

Twenty-nine people died in the fire.  Three others died later of their injuries.  The final death toll was 32.
 
The Upstairs Lounge fire was the worst fire in New Orleans, and its impact was far-reaching not only because of the tremendous loss of life in this building, but it sparked a gay rights movement in this city.
....

[Fr Richard] Easterling and others gathered for a mass at St. George's Episcopal Church uptown Saturday to remember all 32 victims, including three people who were never identified. The day after the fire on June 25, 1973, St. George's held a memorial for the survivors and loved ones when no one else would.

I agree with the writer's conclusion that the tragic deaths in the fire lit a spark to begin the movement on the local scene toward equality and justice for LGTB persons.  Fr Bill Richardson's courage in agreeing to hold the memorial service at St George Episcopal Church 40 years ago placed the Episcopal Church squarely in its midst.  Many, even those within the movement, are not aware of this pivotal event in the history of the struggle for gay rights.

I commend the station for their coverage of the 40th anniversary of the tragedy.  The video report of the Fox8 news segment may be seen at the link above. 

Last week, I put together a group of quotes about the tragedy, which includes more information.

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UPSTAIRS LOUNGE FIRE - JUNE 24, 1973

The UpStairs Lounge arson attack occurred in 1973 at a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States, and resulted in the deaths of 32 people due to direct immolation or inhalation of fumes. It was started with Ronsonol lighter fluid on the steps near the entrance. The most likely suspect was a man who had been thrown out of the bar earlier that day; he was never sentenced.  It was the deadliest arson attack to take place in New Orleans at that time, and one of the deadliest attacks on LGBT people in United States history.

On Sunday, June 24, 1973, the final day of Pride Weekend,^] a group of members of the Metropolitan Community Church, a pro-LGBT Protestant denomination, had held services inside the club located on the second floor of a three-story building at the corner of Chartres and Iberville Streets, after which the club had hosted free beer and dinner for 125 patrons. At the time of the evening fire, some 60 people were listening to pianist David Gary's music and discussing an upcoming MCC fundraiser for the local Crippled Children’s Hospital. The UpStairs Lounge was a temporary home of the MCC, the nation’s first gay church that had been founded in Los Angeles in 1969.

Jesus in Love Blog has a wonderful post on the the musical titled "Upstairs" written and composed by Wayne Self commemorating the tragedy.

Louisiana playwright and composer Wayne Self spent five years weaving together the stories of the UpStairs Lounge fire victims and survivors. The result is a dramatic musical that opens tomorrow (June 20) in New Orleans. He says his work takes the form “of tribute, of memorial, even of hagiography.”

The musical "Upstairs" brings back to life people such as MCC assistant pastor George “Mitch” Mitchell, who managed to escape the fire, but ran back into the burning building to save his boyfriend, Louis Broussard. Both men died in the fire. Their bodies were found clinging to one another in the ashes. In the musical, Mitchell sings a song called “I’ll Always Return”

On Saturday, I plan to attend the memorial mass at St George Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Below is the announcement from the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

St. George's to Offer Memorial Mass to Mark 40th Anniversary of Upstairs Lounge Fire

   

On Saturday, June 22nd, at 2 PM St. George's Episcopal Church of New Orleans will offer a memorial mass marking the 40th anniversary of the tragic fire at the Upstairs Lounge. The fire claimed the lives of 32 people and left devastated those of many more in the New Orleans gay community. The liturgy is offered to the glory of God in loving memory of those who died and also in thanksgiving for Father Bill Richardson's courageous work in according to the dead a proper burial and to the living a pastoral ministry of sympathy and support.

At The Episcopal Café, Deacon Ormonde Plater, a friend of Bill Richardson, on the occasion of his death:

A Saint has died: The Rev. William P. Richardson, 98, rector of St George's, New Orleans, from 1953-1976, died peacefully last night at 10:48 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. George’s on Monday, Oct. 8, at noon.

Among the gay community in the United States, Bill Richardson is honored as a hero.

The post at the Café includes a letter from Bill Richardson to Integrity about his decision to hold the memorial service at St George.

Next morning a member of the MCC called to ask if they could have a memorial service that evening at St. George's. I agreed, providing they would not make a big splash over it. The Rev. Troy Perry [Founder and Moderator of MCC] flew in that evening and assisted with the service. Some 80-90 persons attended. I warned the TV people not to take pictures, and asked the reporters to play it low-key. They did.

Bishop Iveson B. Noland, who was later killed in a plane crash in New York, phoned me early the next morning. He said, "Bill, this is the Bishop. Have you read the morning paper?" I said, "Yes, Bishop, I have." "Is it true that the service was at St. George's Episcopal Church?" "Yes, Bishop, it was." "Why didn't they have it in their own church?" he asked. I replied, "For the simple reason their own small church holds about 18 persons. Without any publicity we had over 80 present." "What am I to say when people call my office?" I replied, "You can say anything you wish, Bishop, but do you think Jesus would have kept these people out of His church?"

I heard later the Bishop had a hundred calls, and I got hate calls and letters. Only one member of our vestry supported me. Later, I was stopped on the street by many persons thanking me for doing such a Christian thing.

LOUISE EMERSON BROOKS - REST IN PEACE AND RISE IN GLORY

From Susan Russell, whose wife, Louise Emerson Brooks, died Sunday, September 2, 2012 after a long battle with cancer.

There are no words to express the depths of our gratitude for your words of support and love for us and in tribute to Louise's extraordinary life. We will celebrate her life with a service at All Saints Church in Pasadena on Saturday, September 8th at 11am with a reception to follow. Please come prepared to grieve her loss, celebrate her life -- and to tell stories about the part of Louise Emerson Brooks that touched your life. That is quite literally what she said she wanted -- as the producer in her was very clear that she wanted a "production credit" for the liturgical celebration of her life. For more details call All Saints at 626.796.1172.  Here's my new-and-improved 2.0 version:

For those who have asked about memorial gifts, two of the great passions of her life were the work of LGBT inclusion and the work of animal rescue. Contributions to Integrity will help support the distribution of her latest documentary "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" and contributions to Husky Camp will support the ongoing Siberian Husky Rescue that brought us our beloved Luna and Juno.

Integrity USA in memory of Louise Brooks
http://integrityusa.org/
838 East High St. #291 Lexington, KY 40502

Husky Camp -- Siberian Husky Rescue
http://www.HuskyCamp.com/
SHRRCA
303 Cameo Dr.,
Danville, CA 94526

I met Susan Russell at GC2009.  The next year, I had the pleasure of meeting both Louise and Susan in New Orleans when Susan gave a speech sponsored by the New Orleans Chapter of Integrity and Human Rights Campaign at Trinity Church.  I was amongst the guests at a dinner in their honor and was fortunate to be seated at the same table with Susan and Louise and enjoyed their company and conversation immensely.  I teased Louise that, although I find it difficult to remember names, I would have no problem remembering hers since it was the same as the silent movie star.  Many would not recognize the reference, but Louise knew of whom I spoke. Louise had a sharp wit, which she sometimes expressed in throwaway-lines with a dead-pan expression, so you had to be quick to appreciate how wonderfully clever and funny she was.

Below is a picture of Louise, me, and Susan after Susan's speech.

May Louise rest in peace and rise in glory. May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to Susan and to all who love Louise.

UPDATE: Louise's obituary in the Pasadena Star News. 

EL CINCO DE MAYO - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAYLE!

Today is my beloved sister Gayle's birthday. She died six years ago on April 27. We celebrated her life in a memorial service on her birthday, May 5, 2006. After the service, we had a quiet gathering of friends and family. Later that evening, we had a not-so-quiet gathering, in other words, a party. Gayle loved parties, so it was fitting.

She also loved that she shared her birthday with the Mexican celebration. Of course! Another occasion for a party.

¡Viva México! ¡Viva El Cinco de Mayo!

Viva Gayle! May we meet in the kingdom!

Friends of Gayle set up The Dillenkoffer Endowment to provide scholarship grants to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens.  We know that it's not easy to come out as a teenager. The consequences, at worst, can be nothing less than deadly. I greatly admire all the young men and women who have the courage to step forward and claim their identities in the face of the difficulties.

If you would like to make a donation, here's the link.

(Reposted from last year with slight editing.)

'IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE - KIRSTIN'S MEMORIAL SERVICE'

From Andee at Barefoot and Laughing:

On July 30, 2011, family and friends of Kirstin Paisley gathered together at Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento, California, to remember the gift she was in their lives. This gathering was a time for remembering, celebrating, loving, joking and sharing.

With many, many thanks to videographer Sean McConnell....

Here is the gorgeous two-part video that intertwines Kirstin's July 30, 2011 memorial service, with the tributes that were offered during the reception afterwards, and photos of her life.

Join us in remembering...

View or download the full worship bulletin here.

Remembering Kirstin: Part One from Sean McConnell

Remembering Kirstin: Part Two from Sean McConnell

 

Click the links above the image to view the vimeos.

REMEMBERING KIRSTIN - PART ONE

The first segment of Kirstin Paisley's memorial service, put together by Sean McConnell, is now available online at vimeo.

Kirstin passed away after a long battle with melanoma. She touched the lives of many with her courage, honesty, faith and compassion. Kirstin blogged at Barefoot and Laughing.

UPDATE: I just now had time to watch Part One in its entirety. The service is powerful, indeed.

EL CINCO DE MAYO - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GAYLE!

Today is my beloved sister Gayle's birthday. She died five years ago on April 27. We celebrated her life in a memorial service on her birthday, May 5, 2006. After the service, we had a quiet gathering of friends and family. Later that evening, we had a not-so-quiet gathering, in other words, a party. Gayle loved parties, so it was fitting.

She also loved that she shared her birthday with the Mexican celebration. Of course! Another occasion for a party.

¡Viva México! ¡Viva El Cinco de Mayo!

Viva Gayle! May we meet in the kingdom!

Friends of Gayle set up The Dillenkoffer Endowment to provide scholarship grants to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens. If you'd like to make a donation, click the link or click on the plaque on the right sidebar.

We know that it's not easy to come out as a teenager. The consequences, at worst, can be nothing less than deadly. I greatly admire all the young men and women who have the courage to step forward and claim their identities in the face of the difficulties.

UPDATE: Here are the names of the winners this year:

$5K winner-Clay Stacy - St. Louis, MO
$3K winner-Kyla Kiefer - Perryville, MO
$1K winner-Jessie Doggendorf - Dittmer, MO
$1K winner-Hayley Gilchrist - Wichita, KS

BISHOP MARC ANDRUS - "CHEERING ON"

Bishop Marc Andrus' post about the cheering at the memorial service for those who died in the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, makes good sense to me:

Among the different elements was the applause and cheering that wrapped each speaker as they approached the podium and left it. Usually these services, most often held in churches, are conducted in a medium of quiet. I must say, I loved the supportive noise greeting each speaker, the affirmation and love for the heroes of the tragedy and the mourners, but it was different. Finally, a commentator made this point: people attending the memorial service were responding to the space in which the service was held, a sports facility for the university, a space large enough to hold the crowds who wanted to be there. At some unspoken, probably not reflected upon level, people were doing what they need to do in a sports space – cheer on those they support.

Read the rest of Bishop Marc's post, as he goes on to address what may lie behind much of the the ill feeling and vitriolic speech that seems ever-present in US society today.

The Rt Rev Marc Andrus is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California.

I WAS PROUD

As I watched President Obama's speech at the memorial service for those who died in the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, I was proud. The presidency is a bully pulpit, and Obama excelled tonight in striking all the right notes with his words and his demeanor.

From the Miami Herald:

President Barack Obama played the part of "healer in chief" Wednesday night, honoring the victims of Saturday's mass shooting while seeking to calm an increasingly angry political debate, urging all Americans to stop pointing fingers and "make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."

And the president was able to announce the good news that Representative Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time tonight. Thanks be to God and to all who cared for the congresswoman since her injury.