Event Timeline: 1950s

1950: Lesbian Melva Earhart acquires the State Bar at its original location on Union Street in Flint.

1950: Priscilla Dean headlines at Uncle Tom's Plantation in Detroit during height of city's black drag craze.

1950: U. S. Rep. Clare E. Hoffman of Michigan blasts the employment of homosexuals in government.

1951: Commission appointed by Governor G. Mennon Williams urges harsher penalties for sex offenders.

1952: New state law provides for prison sentences of one day to life for repeat sex offenders.

1953: Ann Arbor native W. Dorr Legg helps found the magazine ONE in Los Angeles.

1954: Homophile publication ONE reports it has 52 subscribers from Michigan.

1954: The Woodward Lounge opens on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

1956: Flamboyant Detroit cult leader Prophet Jones is arrested in his home on morals charge.

1958: Detroit chapter of Mattachine Society established by Hal Lawson, David Brewer and Jai Moore.

1958: Letter to lesbian publication The Ladder says magazine is well received among circle in Grand Rapids.

1959: Detroit vice cop is stabbed while attempting to arrest 32-year-old man on morals charge.

1959: Singer Johnnie Ray is arrested for solicitation at the Brass Rail in Detroit.