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Oregon House adopts resolution honoring history of Black drag performers
Summary
The Oregon House unanimously adopted House Resolution 3 recognizing and honoring the state’s history of Black drag performers, spotlighting decades of performers, pageantry and community advocacy cited by lawmakers.
The Oregon House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 3 on June 18, 2025, recognizing and honoring Oregon’s history of Black drag performers and their contributions to the state’s culture.
Representative Nelson introduced the resolution on the House floor, outlining names and milestones from Portland’s Black drag and court systems dating from the 1960s through 2024. Nelson highlighted performers and organizations named in the resolution and urged members to "recognize and honor Oregon's rich history of black drag." The resolution was presented the day before Juneteenth and the sponsor said, "Let the record show that in this moment, this Juneteenth Eve, the Oregon legislature chose to recognize them."
Supporters from both parties spoke in favor. Representative Javidy said the resolution affirms protections for expression, saying, "People, regardless of their personal beliefs, have the right to express themselves freely." Representative Sanchez and Representative Isidore also described drag as part of Oregon’s arts and cultural fabric and cited local venues such as Darcelle's as community landmarks. Several speakers read names and historical milestones that the resolution lists, from early coronations through recent honors for contemporary performers, and described how the community built performance spaces, educational programming and charitable fundraising.
House Resolution 3 is a ceremonial, nonbinding statement of the chamber’s recognition; the measure expresses the sense of the House and does not create regulatory changes. The clerk recorded that HR 3 "having received the required majority, is declared adopted." No amendments or formal secondary motions were recorded during floor action.
The presentation included an on-floor performance earlier in the day; Representative Nelson thanked performers Isaiah Esquire and Aquaflora, who appeared as guests. Members noted the resolution’s historical list includes performers active from the 1960s through 2024 and that part of the resolution’s intent is to preserve names and milestones that supporters said have been overlooked.
