Drew Shafer

Drew Shafer (April 9, 1936 – September 30, 1989) was an American gay activist from Kansas City, Missouri, known for his LGBTQ activism.

Early life Shafer was an only child who had "a happy upbringing" in a middle-class home, with supportive parents Phyllis and Robert Shafer. He realized he was gay in his early teens.

In February 1966, Shafer attended the National Planning Conference of Homophile Organizations in downtown Kansas City at the State Hotel. He gave a speech there on the importance of communication and unity. Alongside this, in 1966 he started The Phoenix: Midwest Homophile Voice, the first LGBTQ magazine in the Midwest.

In the 1960s Shafer also served on NACHO's Credentials Committee. It also boasted a library of gay and lesbian literature.

Later life and death Shafer initially did not have any symptoms from his HIV. However, by 1987 he began to have skin troubles. Although he was able to take AZT, the drug did not help him and actually seemed to accelerate his decline. Unable to continue working, he officially retired from his job at Caterpillar.

On September 29, 1989, Shafer collapsed and lost consciousness. His partner, Michael Pfleger, called an ambulance, but the ambulance drivers refused to touch Shafer. Pfleger physically moved Shafer to the back of the ambulance himself. At the hospital, Shafer received a blood transfusion and regained consciousness by the morning of September 30. However, his condition worsened that afternoon, and he died that evening with Pfleger at his side.

Shafer was cremated, and his ashes were spread in the Rose Garden at Loose Park by his partner, parents, and several dozen friends and former members of the Phoenix Society.