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To contact me, please click here: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Celebrating Juneteenth with PRIDE!
I am proud to honor two powerful reminders of resilience and liberation. Juneteenth marks the long-overdue promise of freedom finally reaching those who had been denied it, while Pride Month celebrates the courage to live and love openly. Together, they remind us that the fight for justice, dignity, and joy is ongoing and always worth celebrating!
I attended the 4th Annual History of Black Drag in Portland event on Juneteenth.
Proudly Speaking to Pride in the House Chamber
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"Oregon is the gayest state in the nation. Nearly 1 out of 12 Oregonians are openly members of the LGBTQ+ community, living all over Oregon, we don’t just tolerate queer people here, we are queer people here. Our state is a beacon for those of us who want to live our authentic selves. We lead, we teach, we raise families, we build businesses, we serve in this body, and we stand in community with our trans siblings and every Oregonian whose right to exist is still being challenged." |
Watch Remonstrance Here
"Oregon has thousands of LGBTQ+ people of color that contribute to our state in a variety of wonderful ways. Yet far too many of us have NEVER seen ourselves reflected in government. That’s why I take my being here and the responsibility that comes with that so seriously."
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Watch Remonstrance Here
This week, I rose on the House floor to honor Juneteenth, a day of delayed freedom and enduring resilience. As a Black LGBTQ+ legislator, I spoke not just to the past, but to the present reality of hate that still lingers.
Juneteenth and Pride remind us that visibility matters, truth matters, and the fight for justice is far from over.
You can watch my speech here.
Black Wall Street Block Party
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Salem-Keizer NAACP had their Juneteenth celebration right next to the Capitol building so I could attend after the House Floor today.
I got to see some familiar faces!
 Sarah is the Chief of Staff for Representative Hoa Nguyen and volunteers for Black Joy Oregon. She was there to talk about Black Joy Farm which a quarter acre of donated land in Keizer that they are turning into a fully functioning organic community garden. Produce from the farm is given out to BIPOC households in the Salem/Kiezer and surrounding areas. As someone who LOVES to garden, I am looking forward to an opportunity to check it out!
I visited with Candia Brown from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and let her know that I am hoping my niece will be joining their sorority when she heads to college in the fall. It was great to meet Candia's daughter Kamilla at their booth!
I got to spin the wheel at the Oregon CASA Network table so I could get one of their Juneteenth pins. Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children are specially trained volunteers that are appointed by local court to advocate for the best interests of children who have been traumatized by abuse or neglect.
I also had a chance to visit with folks from SEIU, Urban League and so many other vendors!
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While visiting the Oregon Black Pioneers booth, I saw that they included information about Maxville which is where some of my family moved a generation before I moved to the Pacific North West.
I spoke with them about having legislators join one of their walking tours of Salem's Black History.
I was proud to present and speak to House Resolution 3 which honors the powerful legacy of Oregon’s Black drag community, not just as performers, but as changemakers, advocates, and cultural icons. Brought forward on Juneteenth Eve and during Pride Month, it’s a recognition of truth, resilience, and the fight for visibility.
This resolution has never been about personal beliefs. It’s about whether we have the courage to honor history and those who’ve shaped it. Let the record show that Oregon chose to recognize and uplift that legacy.
You can watch my speech on House Resolution 3 here.
This resolution concludes by stating:
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Oregon: That we, the members of the House of Representatives of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, recognize and honor Oregon’s rich history of Black drag, and we congratulate all those whose spirited contributions have made Oregon’s Black drag community one of the most vibrant and vital in the nation.
A Big Thank You to Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora!
I would like to share some of the joy we experienced on June 18th with a wonderful performance from Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora. It was meaningful to so many LGBTQ+ people who work in the Capitol to have them here to share their art.
It was a pleasure to host Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora at the Oregon State Capitol. This building belongs to EVERYONE!
I had an opportunity to show them around the House Floor and members were excited to get a photo with the performers.
Legislators and staff wanted to take the opportunity to welcome Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora to the House.
Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora dressed on theme by wearing blue and yellow which are the colors of the Oregon flag!
The performance brought much joy and excitement to chamber!
Several Representatives spoke in favor of House Resolution 3. That included Representative Rob Nosse, Representative Tawna Sanchez, Representative Shannon Jones Isadore and Representative Cyrus Javadi who was the only Republican to watch the entire performance and speak in support of the resolution.
I was honored to read the names of Black Drag Queens from the 1960's to present day on the floor of the House of Representatives. This moment was historical and emotional for many BIPOC members of the LGBTQ community.
Positive News Coverage
Although there may have been some coverage from national platforms, local news outlets and even Fox News have covered the opening ceremony and resolution much more accurately.
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Oregon Capital Chronical
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The Oregonian
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KATU
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Fox News
Clearing Up Misinformation
Some Oregonians have had questions about the use of tax payer money for this performance. I want to be clear that no state funds went to the performers and this is a regular occurrence. Legislators invite guests to perform the Opening Ceremony at the beginning of each Floor Session in both the House and Senate. These guest perform musical acts and dances, recite poems or other readings, and deliver invocations and prayers from a variety of religions. My invited guests this session have been:
- Reading of a poem for Black History Month by my niece
- Prayer by Pastor Craig Brown
- Prayer by Pastor Herman Greene
- Drag Performance for Pride and Juneteenth by Isaiah Esquire and Aqua Flora
Below is more information about Opening Ceremonies on the House Floor:
There have been 53 opening ceremonies with invited guest which include: 18 music performances, 19 invocations or prayers, 8 poems and 8 dances.
Every legislative session, the House and Senate pass dozens of resolutions. These resolutions honor Oregonians who have passed away, significant historic events, accomplishments from Oregon Universities and Colleges, designate awareness weeks and months, recognizes individuals and groups for their accomplishments, recognizes sports teams for their contributions to the state, and makes official state recognitions. So far this session, the legislature has voted on over 65 resolutions.
There are 35 House Resolutions so far this session that will pass. I am the Co-Sponsor or Regular Sponsor for the following resolutions:
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HCR 10 - Recognizes and honors former Oregon State Representative Roger Martin (1935-2023) for his service to this state.
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HCR 17 - Recognizes and honors Cambodian Americans in Oregon and the United States and all those lost in the Cambodian Genocide.
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HCR 28 - Designates the week of August 17 to 23, 2025, as Community Healthcare Workers Week.
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HCR 31 - In memoriam: Lyllye Reynolds-Parker, 1946-2024.
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HCR 36 - In memoriam: Christine Chin Ryan.
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HR 1 - Recognizes and honors Louis Southworth (1830-1917) for his industriousness, perseverance in the face of adversity and remarkable contributions to the State of Oregon.
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HR 2 - Recognizes and honors Reuben Shipley for his remarkable life and incomparable contributions to the State of Oregon.
There are 31 Senate Resolutions so far this session that will pass. I am the Co-Sponsor or Regular Sponsor for the following resolutions:
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SCR 10 - In memoriam: Senate President Peter Courtney, 1943-2024.
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SCR 30 - Designates April 10, 2025, as Purple Up! Day for Month of the Military Child.
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SCR 31 - Commends the Legislative Commission on Indian Services on its 50th anniversary.
A few other resolutions to note:
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SCR 13 - Designates the T-bone as the official state steak.
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SCR 22 - Commends the 2024 University of Oregon Ducks football team for their outstanding season.
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SCR 23 - Creates a ceremonial relationship between the State of Oregon and Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine.
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HCR 34 - Designates April 30, 2025, as Vietnamese American Remembrance Day. Honors the contributions of Vietnam War veterans from the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community.
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HCR 40 - Recognizes the Portland Trail Blazers for their economic and cultural contributions to the State of Oregon. Urges the team's owners to keep the team in this state.
The parade will start at 11am on Saturday, June 21, 2025, featuring Pastor Dennis Payne II and First Lady Debra Ingram Payne of First AME Zion as our 2025 Grand Marshal and Nikki Brown Clown. The parade leaves King Park (School) and will make its way South down MLK and then West on N. Knott and end at the festival.
The festival will kick-off once the parade ends at the park.
Festival Details:
Saturday, June 21, 2025 Start Time 12pm End Time 7pm
Location: Lillis-Albina Park (N. Flint/N. Russell)
This is a rain or shine event.
Please share and invite!
Thank You
Once again, Happy Pride Month and Juneteenth!
I hope many of you join the parade on Saturday! These days of remembrance, acknowledgment and celebration are so important for our communities!
Lastly, with Sine Die just around the corner, know that my office remains focused and energized to finish this session strong. And once the gavel falls, I will be back in touch with more updates, reflections, and plans for the road ahead. Until then, thank you for standing with me in pride, in purpose, and in community!
Best,
 Travis Nelson
State Representative
House District 44
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-275, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/nelson
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