Oregon House Kicks Off Session With Drag Performance Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Heritage—Sparks Applause and Controversy

The Oregon House of Representatives opened a new legislative session this week with a performance unlike any in recent memory. Two Black drag queens, Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora, took the House floor in glittering gold outfits, dancing and lip-syncing to Aretha Franklin’s “A Deeper Love” and Beyoncé’s “I Was Here.”

The performance, held Wednesday morning to mark the beginning of a new session and to honor Pride Month, lasted nearly five minutes and ended with a standing ovation from several House members.

It was the brainchild of Democratic Rep. Travis Nelson, Oregon’s first openly LGBTQ+ African American legislator. Nelson had invited the Portland-based performers as part of a broader effort to recognize the contributions of the Black drag community to Oregon’s cultural and political history.

A Tribute to Resilience, Joy, and Legacy

Standing before the chamber shortly after the performance, Rep. Nelson expressed heartfelt gratitude.

“Aqua Flora and Isaiah Esquire joining us on the House floor today… your presence, artistry, and courage are a powerful reminder of the joy, resilience, and cultural impact of drag in Oregon and beyond,” Nelson said. “Thank you for sharing your light with us this morning. It’s an honor to have you here.”

The performance was not just symbolic—it was tied to a House resolution Nelson authored and introduced as the first official action of the day. The resolution formally recognized and honored Oregon’s “rich history of Black drag,” praising those “whose spirited contributions have made Oregon’s Black drag community one of the most vibrant and vital in the nation.”

The resolution passed with a 34-9 vote.

Mixed Reactions From Across the Aisle

While many applauded the performance as a celebration of inclusion, diversity, and free expression, others expressed strong disapproval.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan called the drag performance an “ostentatious display” of “social activism,” and accused the event of violating the decorum expected of legislative proceedings.

“Yesterday’s ill-advised performance broke our chamber protocols,” Drazan said in a statement. “Turning the House Floor into a smoky bar is beneath the dignity of this body.”

She further argued that opening ceremonies should not serve as platforms for political or social symbolism, saying they should reflect “unity and solemnity.”

Defending Tradition and Free Speech

In response to the criticism, Rep. Nelson defended both the intent and execution of the event. In a statement to Fox News Digital, he emphasized that inviting guests to participate in opening ceremonies is a longstanding tradition in the Oregon legislature.

“Each legislator has the right to invite guests, as long as the date is available and guidelines are followed,” Nelson explained. “This tradition is not only about honoring communities—it’s also a matter of free speech and civic participation.”

He emphasized that the drag performers participated voluntarily and that their inclusion followed all procedural requirements from the Chief Clerk’s office.

“That right belongs to every member of this body, and by extension, to the guests they bring. Their presence is fully protected by both the Oregon State Constitution and the U.S. Constitution,” Nelson said.

Drag in Oregon’s Political Space: A First?

This may mark the first time that drag performers have appeared in an official opening ceremony on the House floor in Oregon. However, the state has long been recognized as a stronghold of LGBTQ+ activism, and Portland in particular has a robust drag scene that intersects with politics, protest, and performance art.

The move reflects a growing trend in statehouses across the country where culture and identity are being centered in civic rituals. Supporters of the performance see it as part of a larger movement to reframe who belongs in political spaces—and what those spaces can look and sound like.

A Tense Cultural Moment

Still, the event underscores the ongoing national debate around LGBTQ+ visibility, particularly drag performances in public institutions. In recent months, Republican-led legislatures in multiple states have introduced bills aimed at restricting drag shows in public or around minors. Oregon, by contrast, continues to affirm its progressive stance—though not without pushback.

Earlier this year, an Oregon middle school drew headlines for hosting a “Drag Day” encouraging students to wear cross-gender clothing during Pride Week, sparking protests and heated community discussions.

A Message That Resonates

Despite political friction, Wednesday’s performance left a visible emotional impact on those in attendance.

Isaiah Esquire, a longtime Portland performer and activist, later shared on social media: “To stand on the House floor in heels, in gold, in full pride—was not just for show. It was a statement. We exist, we contribute, we belong.”

Aqua Flora added, “Representation matters. Black queer artists have shaped culture in this state and beyond, and to be acknowledged in such a historic space is deeply meaningful.”

As Pride Month continues, and legislatures nationwide grapple with the politics of identity, Oregon’s House floor became more than a place of governance—it became a stage for visibility, resistance, and joy.