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seum, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum at the Smithsonian Institute and even the Louvre.

Gay activism

During his time in San Francisco Mr. Maher became a prominent gay activist and worked on Harvey Milk’s supervisor campaigns, Ferren stated. Milk would go on to win a supervisor seat in 1977, making him the first openly gay elected official in California. He and then-mayor George Moscone were assassinated in November 1978 by disgruntled exsupervisor Dan White.

“They were good friends,” Ferren wrote in an email.

With the late lesbian pioneers Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, Mr. Maher helped to start the first gay support groups at Bishops Coffee House in Berkeley, according to the obituary. At the start of the AIDS pandemic, Mr. Maher was among the first to help care for those suffering from the disease when its mode of transmission was still unclear and the health care professionals and family members were afraid to be in proximity.

Mr. Maher saw the suffering of gays living in rural areas, many of whom were starving, and he helped to found the Billy Club of Saratoga Springs, the obituary stated. Throughout his life Mr. Maher was a champion for gay rights and samesex marriage, organizing many protests. In his later years he would hold Sunday Suppers for his many food insecure friends at his home in Monte Rio.

In 1982 Mr. Maher moved to Laytonville in Mendocino County and formed

Violence’ campaign to raise awareness about attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community,” the caucus stated. “We look forward to giving her the recognition she deserves at the state Capitol.”

Some Republican lawmakers chose to walk off the Assembly floor during the celebration.

Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) stated that though he recognizes that “the Sisters have done charitable work in the community … their vulgar mockery of our Christian faith is extremely insulting and disrespectful. We cannot condone this.”

Haney called the walk-out “disgusting.”

“Seeing the California Assembly Republicans get up and walk out was one of the most shockingly infuriating and cowardly things I’ve seen since I’ve been in elected office,” Haney stated to the B.A.R. “That type of homophobia must be roundly condemned, confronted and those who engage in it should face repercussions for their behavior. Homophobic officials who blatantly violate the rules of the Assembly should not be in positions of leadership in our legislature.”

Obituaries >>

Robert Neal Thornton

July 15, 1950 – May 1, 2023

The Cinch Saloon family is saddened to announce the death of owner, Robert Neal Thornton, age 72. Bob died from cancer at his home in Novato, California on May 1, 2023. Bob was born on July 15, 1950 in Longmont, Colorado. He attended Hygiene Elementary School, St. John the Baptist School and the Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, Colorado. He attended Colorado State University and majored in art.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Wilbur and Eunice Thornton, and two sisters, Diane McGinnis and Vicki Edmiston. He is survived by three brothers, Dennis, James, and David, as well as his two sisters, Jean and Patty. He also leaves behind his life partner Robby Mor- a gay collective called Rattlesnake Creek with his friends, the brothers Dio and Victor Galloti, the latter becoming his lover. The various houses they built by hand had to be reached by cable car across a steep ravine. This experiment in rural living lasted many years, during which time Mr. Maher began his love affair for making glass beads and faceting semi-precious stones. Later, Mr. Maher would befriend the miners at Bonanza and Dust Devil mines in extreme Northern California and he helped to pioneer the recognition of the Oregon Sunstone as a unique precious stone, according to the obituary.

The collective experience came to an end in 1990 when one of the members set fire to the main house, Ferren stated. That’s when Mr. Maher moved to Monte Rio and purchased an old house that had once been a brothel frequented by many high society figures. Mr. Maher and Victor Galloti restored the house to glory and built the perfect studio for him to continue his art.

Later years

Mr. Maher’s later years in Monte Rio were spent with some heartache, as Victor Galloti had contracted HIV; Mr. Maher cared for him tirelessly until he died on April 15, 1992, Ferren stated.

Mr. Maher championed water rights in the Russian River.

In addition to Ferren, Mr. Maher is survived by his sister, Fran Maher; brother, Stephen Maher; and many beloved friends he called family. t

When asked about the backlash, Roma told the B.A.R., “I’ve never seen drastic measures like this in my entire life.”

“Our community is under attack and we can’t win this alone,” Roma stated. “Now, more than ever, it’s important for our allies to speak up. We need elected officials, school teachers, news media, corporations, and every single person who loves someone gay, lesbian, bi, queer, or trans to join us to combat this wave of hate.”

Los Angeles County

When the Glendale Unified School District met June 6 to discuss whether to recognize June as Pride Month, hundreds of people gathered outside to make their voices heard on both sides of the issue.

According to media reports, a physical melee ensued and three people were arrested as a result. The school board sheltered in place as law enforcement declared an unlawful assembly and issued a dispersal order.

The school board did end up recognizing June as Pride Month.

Terra Russell-Slavin, a lesbian who is

See page 14 >> genstein and many friends – his local loving and supportive family.

We are all indebted to Robby, who cared for and supported Bob for many years, especially the past 16 months.

Bob was a soft-spoken, generous, and kind person. He had a strong connection to animals, especially his dogs, chickens, and goats. Friends called him “The Dog Whisperer.” Bob was also an avid gardener. You could find him most days tending his beloved roses and his vegetable garden. Bob was a fan of fashion, art, architecture and design. He loved food and dining out at Michelin Star restaurants.

Twenty-five years ago, he and Robby purchased The Cinch Saloon, the last remaining gay bar on historic Polk Street. We feel it’s only fitting that we have a celebration of life event for Bob at The Cinch at 3 p.m. on July 15, Bob’s birthday, and the 25th anniversary of the day they purchased the bar.