Screening of "Upstairs Inferno"

Long before the massacre at Pulse Night Club, there was the massacre at the Upstairs Lounge. The community is invited to join us for the screening of Upstairs Inferno Admission is only $10.00. Tickets may be purchased at http://whosoevermccp.com/upstairs-inferno-screening/ From award winning director, Robert L. Camina and Executive Producers behind "Back on Board: Greg Louganis", "Kiss Me, Kill Me", "Beautiful Something", "Raid of the Rainbow Lounge" and "Southern Baptist Sissies", comes UPSTAIRS INFERNO, a haunting and riveting documentary chronicling a deadly arson that remained the "Largest Gay Mass Murder in U.S. History" for 43 years. The film is narrated by famed New Orleanian and New York Times best selling author, Christopher Rice. TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/94900386 On June 24, 1973, an arsonist set fire to the Up Stairs Lounge, a gay bar located on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. For 43 years, it was the deadliest single event to affect the gay community in U.S. history. Despite the staggering historical significance, few people know about the tragedy. Thirty-two people were killed and some bodies were never identified. One-third of the New Orleans chapter of the Metropolitan Community Church were killed in the blaze, including two clergy. The primary suspect was never charged with the crime. The tragedy did not stop at the loss of lives. There were also the delayed injuries: lost jobs, fear, public ridicule and severed families. The devastation was compounded by the homophobic reactions and utter lack of concern by the general public, government and religious leaders. The fire permanently altered lives and was the root of many lifelong struggles. UPSTAIRS INFERNO is the most comprehensive and authoritative film about the fire and its aftermath. However, UPSTAIRS INFERNO isn't simply a stagnant exposition of facts. UPSTAIRS INFERNO brings humanity to the headlines by shining a light on the very painful effect the tragedy had on survivors, witnesses and loved ones. Their interviews are gut wrenching, yet insightful. Some of the people interviewed in the film haven't publicly discussed the fire until now, especially on camera. Many granted the production exclusive on-camera interviews. Audiences should expect to see a balance between investigative reporting and very intimate profiles of people lost or affected by the tragedy. The victims are more than statistics, more then names in a newspaper clipping or even names on a plaque. These were unfinished lives, tragically cut short by a senseless act. The victims and their families and friends left to cope with the aftermath deserved better treatment than what they got. This is a gruesome story, there is no way around it and in light of June's mass shooting at a gay bar in Florida, the parallels strike a painful chord. Hopefully now, more than ever, audiences walk away from the film with a renewed call for compassion: Compassion for those unlike us. Compassion for those who are hurting. Compassion for those in need. Because there definitely wasn't a lot of compassion when the deadly arson occurred. In addition, I hope the film acts as a stark reminder that we need to seize the day. We need to make sure we tell our loved ones every day that we love them, because we don't know what lies ahead. Life is fickle and unpredictable. Today may be our last chance. Learn more about the fire and the film at www.UpstairsInferno.com Please "Like" the film's Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/UpstairsInferno