Original Badass

For my first conversation, I was excited to sit down with Darcelle XV. Darcelle has been a local icon and inspiration in Portland, Oregon for over 40 years.
Darcelle was previously know as Walter Cole, a boy who grew into a man and did what he thought men should do. He married, got a traditional job and had children. However in his late 30’s he could no longer live the lie of being straight, so, he came out to his wife in the 60’s and set on new journey that led him into another loving relationship with a man for over 50 years and Guinness World Book of records title of the Oldest Working Drag Queen in the world at 87 years of age.

Darcelle has been a mentor and an example of strength and courage for gay and straight people everywhere and and is truly a person who is growing old on his own terms, with grace and humor.