Walter Cole, well-known as Darcelle XV, the iconic drag queen has died at the age of 92 of natural causes.
Darcelle XV, the world’s oldest working drag queen no more
Darcelle XV died of natural causes at the age of 92 on Thursday. During his lifetime, Walter Cole was a fearless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Portland. In 2016, he was crowned as the world’s oldest working drag performer by the Guinness Book of World Records. Darcell was famous for hosting the longest-running drag show on the west coast. Off stage, the army veteran championed rights and was busy with charitable work in Portland.
Darcelle XV Showplace, the nightclub opened by the legend over 50 years ago in downtown Portland shared the news on Facebook. By the 1970s, the club became a cultural institution in the region. In 2020, it was also listed in the National Register of Historic Places, making it the first sight with LGBTQ+ significance on the site. In addition to being a landmark, it provided a lifeline for several in the community. As per a news article, Cole preferred female pronouns while performing and male pronouns once off the stage. “If I hadn’t admitted who I was, I’d probably be dead now. I’d be sitting on a couch retiring from management. Not for me,” stated Cole. “I’m an entertainer with a capital E. Darcelle is a character — like in a play. And I work very hard at her,” he explained.
“She was nothing short of an icon”
Born in 1930, Cole was raised in Portland’s Linnton. He served in the US Army before his eventual discharge in the late 1950s. As per the club’s website, Cole came out as gay and developed his “alter-ego” two years after opening the club. “She touched the lives of so many, not only through her performances but also through her fearless community advocacy and charitable works. She was nothing short of an icon,” described Todd Addams. Addams was an interim executive director of Basic Rights Oregon.
Writer Susan Stanley described Cole as an encouraging and deeply caring person. “Darcelle was just a very, very nurturing person. She encouraged other guys to perform and get out of their shells,” stated Stanley. On Friday, fans and Portland’s mayor took to social media for mourning his death. “Darcelle carved out an unforgettable chapter in Portland’s history with pioneering courage,” stated Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden. As per Cole’s wishes, the club will be running all shows as per schedule.