PORTLAND, Ore. — For more than 50 years, Walter Cole — also known as Darcelle XV — fearlessly advocated for people in LGBTQ+ communities in Portland.
Cole was born in the 1930s and grew up in Northwest Portland. In the early 1950s, he married his high school sweetheart before leaving to serve in the army for a tour of duty in Italy. When he returned to Oregon, he started a family, but eventually came out as a gay man.
"I had to come to grips with who I am and that I was lying. I told my wife that I was gay," Cole said in an interview.
In the late 1960s, he bought a rundown tavern called Demas in the Old Town neighborhood and got into drag for the first time. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he performed as a headline act at the tavern that became Darcelle XV.
Despite some protests outside the club, Cole insisted that it was for everyone — and by the late 1980s, it had become a Portland staple.
Cole was heavily involved in various charity efforts. In 2016, Guinness World Records recognized him as the world's oldest drag performer. He was 85 years old at the time.
He was honored with a list of accolades, including an honorary knighthood from the Royal Rosarians. The Oregon Historical Society also put together an exhibit featuring Cole's fashion.
In March 2023, Cole died at the age of 92. Reaction from the local community poured in, with many reflecting on his impact on Portland and on their own lives. Many people gathered for his celebration of life at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in April 2023.
Cole's legacy is still felt in the Rose City as Darcelle XV lives on. The club is now run by Cole's son.
The city of Portland renamed O'Bryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza and is working to revitalize it as a welcoming and inclusive space.
KGW's Breaking Barriers series features Oregonians making a difference in the world of sports, arts, government, business and more. You'll see stories throughout June for Pride Month.