Damn Fine Drag Show at Oregon's State Capitol
Live Drag Spectacle Opens Oregon House Session in Commemoration of Pride Month
On Wednesday, the Oregon State Legislature welcomed a pair of flamboyant Black drag queens, Aqua Flora and Isaiah Esquire, to perform at the session's opening ceremony as part of Pride Month festivities.
The lively show kicked off the new legislative session in the Beaver State. Democratic Representative Travis Nelson, the first openly LGBTQ+ African American legislator in Oregon, invited the duo to strut their stuff for the historical occasion.
Aqua Flora and Isaiah Esquire sashayed and lip-synced to Aretha Franklin's "A Deeper Love" followed by Beyoncé's "I Was Here," all while rocking fabulous golden outfits and busting moves all around the room. The vibrant performance clocked in at around five minutes, drawing a standing ovation from several members of the House.
Nelson, a Portland native, wouldn't let the epic show go unnoticed. He took a moment to shout out the performers following their performance, praising their talent and courage. This bold move by Nelson acknowledged the importance of drag culture in Oregon, particularly in Portland's thriving scene.
The drag performance was more than just a fun and festive way to celebrate Pride Month—it was also a nod to a new House resolution backed by Nelson that celebrates the rich tradition of Black drag in Oregon. Nelson stressed the significance of such an acknowledgment, pointing out that it is rare for LGBTQ individuals, specifically drag performers, to be recognized by the legislature in this manner.
The landmark resolution, called the Oregon House Concurrent Resolution 3 (HR3), acknowledges and applauds the influential role that Black drag performers have played in Oregon's LGBTQ+ culture and broader arts community, from 1969 to the present day. The resolution is part of an ongoing effort to highlight the contributions of Black drag artists and break the barriers they have faced in the political sphere.
The debate surrounding the resolution has stirred up mixed feelings among legislators. Although many Democrats praised the performance and the passage of the resolution as a proud moment for inclusivity and artistic expression, several Republicans criticized the spectacle, expressing concerns that it was inappropriate for the legislative floor.
Despite these differences, the Oregon State Legislature's embrace of Black drag performers marks a significant step in recognizing and celebrating the unique cultural and artistic contributions that drag queens have made in Oregon. Likewise, this bold move challenges the status quo and encourages more open discussions about the ongoing impact of Black drag culture in the region[1][2][5].
[1] https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-house-concurrent-resolution-3-resolution-recognizing-achievements-black-drag-performance/[2] https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/06/oregon_house_republican_calls_dr_queen_performance_a_bar.html[3] https://www.willametteweek.com/news/politics/2025/06/22/oregon-house-approves-resolution-to-honor-black-drag-culture/[4] https://koin.com/news/local/oregon-state-house-drags-performance-pride-month/[5] https://portland.gov/www/communication/NewsDetalia.aspx?id=465700&nyr=2025
- Social media platforms buzzed with discussion about the historic drag show at Oregon's State Capitol, blending fashion-and-beauty and entertainment.
- The performance, held during Pride Month, sparked debates among legislators about the role of politics in social-media discourse, as some Republicans criticized the spectacle.
- As general-news outlets covered the event and the passing of HR3, crime-and-justice stories took a backseat, momentarily shifting the focus to a more positive aspect of Oregon's lifestyle and culture.
