Rick Stokes

1935 - 2022

Rick Stokes
February 27, 1935 - May 3, 2022
Rick Stokes, whose health had precipitously declined in last few months with heart and lung illnesses, died at age 87 in his San Francisco home on May 3.
David Clayton, his partner in life and in their law practice, died in 1995. They had been together since 1960. They were founding partners of the Ritch Street Baths in 1965, and of the Steamworks clubs, which continue in Berkeley and four other cities in the U.S. and Canada.
In the seminal 1977 gay documentary film "Word Is Out", Rick was interviewed and related that when he came out, he stayed out for the rest of his life and, if someone had a problem with his being gay, the problem was theirs, not his.
Rick was part of the early gay rights movement, forming a gay organization called Association for Responsible Citizenship and became an active participant in the Society for Individual Rights (which published the Archer, an early magazine dedicated to the gay movement). Rick served on the board and as president of another early group, the Council on Religion and the Homosexual, in the 1960s. He was "the other gay man" who ran against Harvey Milk in the 1977 election for Board of Supervisors. He served on the Board of Permit Appeals, appointed by Mayor Moscone, and was the first president of the Golden Gate Business Association.
Rick was amused when he was portrayed in the 2008 film "Milk" as being visibly upset when at a business meeting at a private home, Scott Smith (played by James Franco) jumped naked into the swimming pool…not the reaction Rick would have had.
Rick was a generous and steady supporter of Frameline, New Conservatory Theater, many causes and charities. His genial manners, generosity and steady temperament will be missed by his many friends.
Rick is survived by his husband of the last decade, Alex Kiforenko.