Downtown Kansas City in Jackson County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom
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North American Conference of Homophile Organizations
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022
1. Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom / North American Conference of Homophile Organizations Marker
Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom
The Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom, formed in March 1966, was the first organization in Kansas City to address the needs of the local gay and lesbian community.
Under Drew Shafer's leadership, Phoenix Society worked closely with the local religious community, the Kansas City Health Department, and local law enforcement to ensure equitable treatment of gays and lesbians in Kansas City. In 1968, Phoenix House opened as a lesbian and gay community center at 1333 Linwood Blvd where the continued to print and nationally distribute literature, including The Phoenix: Homophile Voice of Kansas City, which detailed the group's concerns and activities. Phoenix Society disbanded in 1971. In the following decades many other organizations have risen to support and uplift LGBT Kansas Citians.
This marker recognizes Kansas City's on-going struggle to ensure justice for all, and celebrates the efforts of those who made great strides toward achieving that goal.
North American Conference of Homophile Organizations
Three years before NYC's 1969 Stonewall Riots, 40 representatives from nearly 15 organizations met on February 19-21, 1966, at Kansas City's State Hotel - formerly located at the northeast corner of 12th and
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Missourian Harold Leland 'Hal' Call spearheaded the event attended by Kansas Citians Drew Shafer, Al Greathouse, and Larry Hungerford. Other national equality visionaries Barbara Gittings, Forest Gunnison Jr, Frank Kameny, Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin, and Don Slater joined; they soon formed the 'North American Conference of Homophile Organizations.'
This marker commemorates the 50th anniversary of that historic event in U.S. history, and Kansas City's pivotal role in the early struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
Erected 2016 by the Gay and Lesbian Archive of Mid-America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is February 19, 1966.
Location. 39° 5.989′ N, 94° 35.147′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Jackson County. It is in Downtown Kansas City. It is at the intersection of Wyandotte Street and West 12th Street, on the right when traveling south on Wyandotte Street. Marker is at the northeast corner of Barney Allis Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1198 Wyandotte St, Kansas City MO 64105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022
2. Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom / North American Conference of Homophile Organizations Marker
More about this marker. Marker was unveiled/dedicated on October 20, 2016, which coincided with the organization's 50th anniversary. There were many LBGT guest speaker events and presentations happening that weekend.
Additional keywords. LGBT, LGBTQ, 🏳️🌈
Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022
3. Phoenix Society for Individual Freedom / North American Conference of Homophile Organizations Marker
Marker is at the northeast corner of Barney Allis Plaza.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,098 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
