California LGBTQs had a lot riding on Assembly Bill 101 in 1991. The legislation would have made it illegal to discriminate in employment because of sexual orientation. Unfortunately, then-Governor Pete Wilson (R) vetoed the bill and, as our October 3, 1991 issue reported, there was a riot in downtown San Francisco at the State Building, where Wilson had an office. Reporter Dennis Conkin wrote that there was over $250,000 in damages to the building, including glass doors being kicked in by demonstrators. Authorities said that arrests would be made. Today, of course, the Golden State has some of the strongest LGBTQ protections in the country, including prohibiting employment discrimination.
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