RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism, McMenamins History Department, Poison Waters and local Black Drag Queens, and sponsoring community partners are teaming up for a third year to present The History of Black Drag in Portland, an intersectional Pride and Juneteenth event that explores the history and contemporary experience of Black Drag in Portland, Oregon.

This event features an all-star panel of local drag queens sharing their personal stories, followed by fabulous drag performances. We began this special forum in an effort to hold an intersectional space for BIPOC folx in Portland during Pride; and close the gap of miseducation and intolerance between our BIPOC and QTBIPOC communities. In our first year, we emphasized QTBIPOC and BIPOC in-person attendance because there are few Pride events in Portland that are organized for Black and brown queer folx. Given the positive feedback we received from the past two years, and the heightened ignorance and attacks on the Black, Trans, and Drag communities throughout our country, we are continuing this annual celebratory event.

For over a decade, RACE TALKS has been a resounding success engaging over 30,000 participants in over 2000 facilitated conversations and providing a platform to over 500 Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) panelists to raise awareness about their racial and social justice work in Portland, and make an ask of attendees to get involved. Learn more at racetalkspdx.com.

2024 History of Black Drag PDX - A Celebration of Pride and Juneteenth

3rd Annual History of Black Drag in Portland