Drew Shafer facts for kids

Drew Shafer (born April 9, 1936 – died September 30, 1989) was an American activist from Kansas City, Missouri. He worked hard to support and bring together people who were gay at a time when it was not widely accepted.

Drew Shafer's Early Life

Drew Shafer grew up in a happy home in Kansas City. He was an only child. His parents, Phyllis and Robert Shafer, were very supportive. He realized he was gay when he was a young teenager.

What Did Drew Shafer Do as an Activist?

Drew was very open about being gay. This was unusual for his time. In the mid-1960s, he gave speeches about gay rights. He spoke at college campuses. He also helped start a local group called ONE, Inc.. This group worked for gay rights.

Speaking Out for Rights

In February 1966, Drew went to a big meeting in Kansas City. It was for groups that supported gay people. He gave a speech there. He talked about how important it was for people to communicate and work together.

After the meeting, he spoke about it on a local radio show. This almost caused him to lose his job. He worked at a Caterpillar Tractor Company plant. Luckily, his union, the United Auto Workers, helped him. They told his manager that Drew could not be fired for what he did outside of work hours.

Starting the Phoenix Society

Soon after, in March 1966, Drew started a new group. It was called the Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom. About 20 people joined at the start. Drew was the president until 1968.

In 1966, he also started a magazine. It was called The Phoenix: Midwest Homophile Voice. This was the first magazine for gay people in the Midwest. The magazine slowly reached people in other states. It went to places like Iowa and Nebraska.

Printing for Other Groups

In August 1966, Drew also began printing for another big group. This was the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations (NACHO). Drew and his friends printed many magazines and newsletters. They did all this from a basement in Drew's house. This helped many different groups connect with each other.

The Phoenix House

In 1968, Drew and the Phoenix Society bought a three-story house. They called it the "Phoenix House." This building was their main office. It was also a community center. It helped people in need find a place to stay. The house also had a library filled with books for gay and lesbian people. Drew paid for the rent and bills himself. This caused him to go into a lot of debt.

The Phoenix Society faced challenges. Some businesses stopped advertising in The Phoenix magazine. This happened more after important events like the Stonewall riots. The Phoenix Society closed in 1972. This was because of money problems.

Even after the Phoenix Society closed, Drew kept working for change. He met with student groups. In 1976, he protested at the 1976 Republican National Convention. This event was held at Kemper Arena. The next year, he joined protests against Anita Bryant.

Helping Others and His Own Health

In 1986, Drew volunteered at a center in Kansas City. This center helped people with a serious illness. He had a required blood test there. He found out he had the same illness.

Drew Shafer's Personal Life and Family

Drew was lucky to have parents who fully supported him. This was not common for gay men at the time. His parents even joined in his activism.

His mother, Phyllis Shafer, helped some of Drew's gay friends. She ran a boarding house for them in the 1950s. She also went with Drew to the 1966 conference. Later, she became the secretary of the Phoenix Society. She wrote an advice column for The Phoenix magazine. She used the name Estelle Graham. She later joined PFLAG, a group for families and friends of gay people.

His father, Robert Shafer, was a printer. He let Drew use his printing press. Drew used it for The Phoenix and other publications. His father later gave the Society their own printing press.

Drew's long-term partner was Michael Pfleger. People also knew him as Mickey Ray. They met in September 1968. They lived together in Kansas City until Drew's death in 1989. They lived on the top floor of the Phoenix House. After it closed, they moved in with Drew's parents. In 1984, Drew and Michael moved into their own place.

Drew Shafer's Later Life and Death

At first, Drew did not feel sick from his illness. But by 1987, he started having skin problems. He could no longer work. He officially retired from his job at Caterpillar.

On September 29, 1989, Drew collapsed. He lost consciousness. His partner, Michael, called an ambulance. But the ambulance drivers were hesitant to help him. Michael had to move Drew into the ambulance himself.

At the hospital, Drew received a blood transfusion. He woke up by the morning of September 30. However, his condition got worse that afternoon. He died that evening. Michael was by his side.

Drew Shafer was cremated. His ashes were spread in the Rose Garden at Loose Park. His partner, parents, and many friends were there.