Honors & Achievements
Darcelle XV: The World’s Oldest Drag Performer (2016)
Darcelle XV (November 16, 1930 – March 23, 2023) was the stage name of Walter Willard Cole, an American drag queen, entertainer, and cabaret owner and operator in Portland, Oregon. Guinness World Records certified him as the oldest drag queen performer in 2016, with a career as an entertainer spanning 56 years at the time of his death.
Darcelle XV Becomes First Oregon Business Designated a National Historic Site For Its Place in LGBT History
The club Walter Cole opened 53 years ago in Portland’s Old Town is now officially a nationally recognized historic site, the first in Oregon to be picked because of its part in LGBTQ history.
DRAG-A-THON: The World’s Longest Drag Show
Drag-a-thon was a groundbreaking event that set a Guinness World Record for the longest drag stage show, lasting 48 hours, 11 minutes, and 30 seconds. Organized by Emma Mcilroy and co-organizers Eden Dawn, Darcelle XV Showplace, and Poison Waters, the event raised approximately $300,000 for The Trevor Project. With a star-studded lineup and a sold-out audience, Drag-a-thon showcased the resilience and creativity of the drag community while supporting LGBTQ causes.