Darcelle XV: The Oldest Drag Queen in the World (ft. Poison Waters)

Darcelle XV: The Oldest Drag Queen in the World (ft. Poison Waters)

Author: Jeffrey Masters April 5, 2023 Duration: 16:02

Darcelle XV (Walter Cole), the world's oldest drag queen, died on March 23, 2023. She was 92.

Since 1967, Darcelle has been performing and running the Portland drag venue, Darcelle XV Showplace, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020. I had the opportunity to speak with Darcelle and her friend and collaborator, Poison Waters (Kevin Cook) a few weeks before her death.

This is part of our special series, the LGBTQ+ Elders Project. You can listen to previous interviews with LGBTQ+ elders like Angela Davis, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, André De Shields, and Dr. Charles Silverstein.

LGBTQ&A is hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1



Each week, LGBTQ&A presents a conversation that feels more like a deep, personal discussion than a formal interview. Host Jeffrey Masters guides these talks, creating a space where guests can share not just their achievements, but the real stories and experiences that shaped them. You’ll hear from a wide spectrum of voices within the community, from celebrated artists and politicians to groundbreaking activists and thinkers, all of whom offer unique perspectives on identity, culture, and the ongoing fight for equality. The roster speaks for itself, featuring illuminating talks with figures like Laverne Cox on visibility, Janelle Monáe on artistry and autonomy, Pete Buttigieg on public service, and the powerful insights of Angela Davis. What sets this podcast apart is its commitment to the nuanced, human narrative behind each public persona. It’s not about quick soundbites; it’s about understanding the journeys, the challenges, and the joys that define contemporary LGBTQ+ life. Tuning in means connecting with intimate, often surprising stories that you won’t find anywhere else, all framed by Jeffrey’s thoughtful and engaged questioning. This is a weekly invitation to listen, learn, and feel a deeper connection to the vibrant and diverse community it represents.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

LGBTQ&A
Podcast Episodes
Roxane Gay: Our Big 5-Year Anniversary Celebration (!!!!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:29
"I'm a woman and I'm queer and I'm Black and I'm fat. I try to inhabit all of these identities in my writing." Roxane Gay, the legendary BICON, joins us to talk about sex, love, and soulmates. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffre…
Hida Viloria: Born Both, An Intersex Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:07
Intersex people make up nearly 2% of the total population, yet have remained sidelined and largely ignored in public discussions about sex and gender. It's a blind spot we have, one that Hida Viloria aims to correct with…
Magora Kennedy: The 83-Year-Old Gay Reverend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
The "Gay Reverend" Magora Kennedy talks about queer life in the 50s and 60s, being a part of the Black Panthers, and the Stonewall Uprising. Reverend Kennedy can be seen in the new PBS documentary, Cured. LGBTQ&A is host…
Jay Toole: Super Butch Stonewall Veteran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:33
Jay Toole (a.k.a Super Butch) reflects on being kicked out of her house when she was 13, living in Washington Square Park as a homeless teenager, and the Stonewall uprising. "People have to know of the history because ev…
Larry Kramer: Making Gay History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:37
Eric Marcus interviews the legendary activist Larry Kramer (recorded January 26, 1989). Check out the Making Gay History podcast for more interviews with LGBTQ+ history makers. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey Masters and pr…
Victor Garber: Has Kinda Been In Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:28
...and this Sunday (11/21), he debuts as Mr. Smithers' new boyfriend on The Simpsons. Victor Garber joins us to talk about his role as the gay billionaire fashion mogul on The Simpsons, going to Stephen Sondheim's house…
VINCINT: There Will Be Tears [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:48
VINCINT's debut album, There Will Be Tears, is one of our favorite albums of the year. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey Masters and produced by The Advocate magazine, in partnership with GLAAD. [This was originally recorded…
Theo Germaine: The Nonbinary Actor Changing Hollywood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
With breakout roles in The Politician (Netflix) and Work in Progress (Showtime), Theo Germaine's career shows two drastically different, yet necessary approaches to trans storytelling on TV. LGBTQ&A is hosted by Jeffrey…
Jen Winston: How Bisexuals Are Reimagining the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
Bisexuals! They're greedy! (Greedy is the name of Jen Winston's fantastic new book. Please don't cancel me. Thank you!) Jen joins us to talk about the many persisting misconceptions around bisexuality, the imposter syndr…