In a spectacle that left many Oregon taxpayers scratching their heads, two drag queens strutted onto the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives Wednesday morning for what some are calling an over-the-top, tone-deaf performance. The flamboyant event was part of a Democratic resolution celebrating “the artistry of Black drag performers” in the state, but for Republicans, it was nothing more than a costly and distracting political stunt.

The Democrats behind the resolution, including Rep. Travis E. Nelson — the state’s first Black LGBTQIA+ House member — touted the event as a celebration of diversity and creativity. Yet, the nearly five-minute display, which featured the queens lip-synching to Aretha Franklin’s iconic “A Deeper Love” in eye-catching costumes (one in a sparkling yellow jumpsuit, the other sporting a rainbow-colored outfit with a blue wig), drew sharp criticism from the GOP side.

Republican Rep. Dwayne Yunker didn’t mince words, calling the performance “political theater” that has no place on the House floor. Posting footage of the event on social media, Yunker said,

“I’m not sure the Founding Fathers envisioned taxpayer-funded legislative chambers being turned into platforms for political theater. The House floor is meant for serious debate, lawmaking, and serving all Oregonians — not partisan spectacles designed to push cultural agendas.”

His comments resonated widely with voters and taxpayers who feel elected officials should focus on governing rather than staging performances. Social media quickly erupted, with many denouncing the display as a waste of public funds and a disrespectful mockery of traditional values.

One outraged citizen demanded,

“A full accounting of every penny spent on this fiasco, with every cent refunded to taxpayers. We’re not paying public servants to gawk at drag shows — they can do that on their own dime.”

Another commenter lamented,

“Parents are fighting hard to protect their children’s schools from inappropriate influences, and here are elected representatives doing drag shows on the taxpayers’ dime. No words.”

The backlash also touched on concerns about the broader cultural implications of such events being promoted in government institutions, especially given the growing national debate about the role of drag performances and LGBTQIA+ content in public spaces.

On the other side, a small contingent of social media users praised the performance, celebrating it as a positive display of freedom and artistic expression. However, their voices were overshadowed by the chorus of criticism focused on taxpayer responsibility and appropriate conduct in government chambers.

Notably, former President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of drag performances, especially those presented in front of children. Earlier this year, Trump made headlines by shaking up the Kennedy Center’s board after accusing the previous leadership of allowing drag shows “specifically targeting our youth” at the historic venue.

As for Oregon’s Democrats and Rep. Yunker, neither side has issued a detailed statement beyond Yunker’s initial social media post.

What’s clear is that many Americans—and especially conservative taxpayers—are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as political grandstanding disguised as cultural celebration, particularly when it comes at the expense of serious governance and public funds.

At a time when state legislatures should focus on practical issues affecting everyday citizens, Oregon’s taxpayer-funded drag performance may just become the latest example of lawmakers prioritizing political theater over real solutions.