[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 68 (Monday, April 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE PASSING OF WALTER WILLARD COLE, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 24, 2023

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the passing of 
a true Portland icon. A beloved member of the LGBTQ+ community, a 
pioneer for equality, and a dazzling performer, Walter Willard Cole Sr. 
embodied the spirit of Portland. Walter passed away on March 23rd in 
Portland, Oregon after a long and accomplished life. I am honored to 
have known Walter and deeply admire his many contributions to our city, 
both as a civic leader, small business owner, activist, 
philanthropist--and yes--as the drag performer Darcelle.
  For decades, Darcelle was a fixture in Portland's live entertainment 
scene, captivating audiences as the world's oldest working drag queen. 
For over 50 years Darcelle entertained patrons acting as master of 
ceremonies to a cadre of drag performers and dancers, all the while 
bantering with audience members and performing memorable routines in 
extravagant, hand-made gowns.
  In 1967, Walter purchased a bar in Portland's Old Town neighborhood, 
then skid row, that would later be known as the Darcelle XV Showplace. 
Well before the gay rights movement took hold, Darcelle XV experienced 
its share of protests, threats, and hardships. Yet Walter persisted, 
creating a welcoming and inclusive space for audiences to relax, laugh, 
and enjoy a show.
  As LGBTQ+ acceptance grew throughout Portland and the country, the 
nightclub's impact cannot be understated. Darcelle had a way of putting 
people at ease and created an environment where patrons, both gay and 
straight, felt comfortable and welcomed. At Darcelle XV, drag queens 
had a stage to perfect their act before taking their performance on the 
road, showcasing their talents for the broader public. The nightclub 
and Walter's stewardship were influential in advancing mainstream 
acceptance of drag performance and contributed significantly to the 
broader societal acceptance of gay rights. Today, Darcelle XV is 
considered a Portland institution and a pioneering establishment in the 
fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
  Outside the club, Walter was a fierce advocate for Portland's LGBTQ+ 
community. He understood and embraced his position as a community 
leader who worked to create positive and lasting change. Walter used 
his performances to raise awareness and funds for the causes he cared 
deeply about. During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s, Walter stood 
up for his community. He helped raise money for medical research, 
people living with AIDS, and their families.
  In 2020, I was honored to support the effort to preserve Walter's 
legacy by including Darcelle XV in the National Register of Historic 
Places. This was the first institution recognized in Oregon that 
honored our LGBTQ+ community and its history. I'm glad we were able to 
honor Walter's work in this way and protect his legacy for generations 
to come.
  Walter will be dearly missed by his friends and family, the LGBTQ+ 
community, and all of Portland.

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