Posted on Apr 29, 2023
Darcelle memorial in Portland draws luminaries and lots of glitter
190
6
2
2
2
0
When Bolivia Carmichaels first began performing drag at the now-shut Embers Avenue, she was warned against working for Darcelle XV. She’ll take away your individuality and make you a Darcelle girl, they said. Carmichaels’ response?
“Sweet,” she said. “That’s what I want to do. I want to be a Darcelle girl.” Carmichaels went on to dance under Darcelle XV’s wing for 20 years.
On Tuesday afternoon, more than 2,000 people gathered at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to remember Walter W. Cole, who was fondly known as Darcelle XV. The artist died on March 23 this year due to natural causes at the age of 92. Darcelle will be the first Portlander to be inducted into the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall Inn.
“Sweet,” she said. “That’s what I want to do. I want to be a Darcelle girl.” Carmichaels went on to dance under Darcelle XV’s wing for 20 years.
On Tuesday afternoon, more than 2,000 people gathered at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to remember Walter W. Cole, who was fondly known as Darcelle XV. The artist died on March 23 this year due to natural causes at the age of 92. Darcelle will be the first Portlander to be inducted into the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at the Stonewall Inn.
Darcelle memorial in Portland draws luminaries and lots of glitter
Posted from opb.org
Portland
LGBTQ+
Memorial
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 2
2
2
0
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Darcelle was an LGBTQ+ pioneer and was a recipient of the Matthew Shepard award, Mayor Vera Katz Spirit of Portland award and The Mama Bernice Humanitarian award among many more.
“She gave thousands of people a chance to have a full and fruitful life and she entertained us,” former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts told OPB. “She protected this community, she educated this community and she educated both the gay side of the community and the straight side of the community.” Activist Terry Bean later remarked, “Darcelle was brave, courageous … and yet, she was humble. And boy, she was authentic!”
The memorial was a celebration of Darcelle XV’s life and the legacy she left behind. It was also a celebration of the support Darcelle offered to a community that thrives on individuality and uniqueness."...
..."Darcelle was an LGBTQ+ pioneer and was a recipient of the Matthew Shepard award, Mayor Vera Katz Spirit of Portland award and The Mama Bernice Humanitarian award among many more.
“She gave thousands of people a chance to have a full and fruitful life and she entertained us,” former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts told OPB. “She protected this community, she educated this community and she educated both the gay side of the community and the straight side of the community.” Activist Terry Bean later remarked, “Darcelle was brave, courageous … and yet, she was humble. And boy, she was authentic!”
The memorial was a celebration of Darcelle XV’s life and the legacy she left behind. It was also a celebration of the support Darcelle offered to a community that thrives on individuality and uniqueness."...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google