Poison Waters

Kevin Cook, known by the stage name Poison Waters, is an American drag performer. Since the 1980s, she has been an emcee, entertainer, and community activist. She is a longtime hostess at Darcelle XV Showplace and has participated in fundraisers, LGBT events, public service announcements, and other community activities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Cook has also taught at Portland Community College.

Poison Waters
Poison Waters in 2022
Born
Kevin Cook

1967 or 1968 (age 54–56)[1]
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materMt. Hood Community College
OccupationDrag performer
Years active1980s–present
Websitepoisonwaters.com

Early life and education

Cook was born in Santa Monica, California.[2][3] His father was Black and his mother was of Mexican and Native American descent.[4]

Cook moved from Southern California to Portland, Oregon in 1979 at the age of 11.[1] He was raised in poverty in northeast Portland's Parkrose neighborhood,[5] where he attended Parkrose High School.[6] Cook first encountered the city's drag scene after graduating,[7] and also discovered he was gay at the age of 18.[8] A performance by a group of four Black drag queens from Darcelle XV Showplace and Embers Avenue led him to recognize that drag was something available to people of color,[9] and he was mentored by his "drag mother" Rosie Waters.[10][11] Cook named his drag persona Poison Waters after Rosie Waters and Dior's perfume Poison, which he discovered while working at the Lloyd Center.[12] He later attended Mt. Hood Community College.[13][14]

Career
Photograph of a person with a fountain in the background
Photograph of a building's exterior
Poison Waters has worked with Darcelle XV (top) for three decades and has performed at Darcelle XV Showplace (bottom) since the 1990s.

Poison Waters has been a drag performer, emcee, and community activist since 1988.[15] She is a hostess at Portland's Darcelle XV Showplace and has worked with Darcelle XV at the drag venue since the early 1990s.[14][16] She has also performed in drag shows and gay pride events in Beaverton,[17] Bend,[18] Hillsboro,[19] and Salem, Oregon.[20]

Poison Waters has modeled in drag pageants and was crowned as Empress of Portland's Imperial Sovereign Rose Court in 2001.[15][21] On stage, she was part of the cast of Darcelle Showplace XV's musical Pageant in 2017,[22] and she played Mother Ginger in Oregon Ballet Theatre's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.[23] She has emceed events, such as the trade show Sexapalooza in Portland in 2012,[24] and hosted drag brunch at Darcelle Showplace XV and Stag PDX.[25][26] She has also read books about diversity and inclusivity to children at libraries,[27] including Multnomah County Library's "Drag Queen Storytimes" series in 2018.[28][29][30] In 2019, she and other drag artists performed at Smith Memorial Student Union to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots; the event was organized by Portland State University and Portland Community College.[31] She performed at a Juneteenth block party in 2020.[32]

Poison Waters has supported many organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Cascade AIDS Project, and Habitat for Humanity.[16] She has volunteered with Cascade AIDS Project since 1988 and served on the organization's board of directors twice. Additionally, Poison Waters has worked with Women's Intercommunity AIDS Resource and Camp KC (Kids Connection) to help families affected by HIV/AIDS.[15] She has also participated in fundraisers for the youth empowerment organization Girls, Inc. and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.[33][34]

Poison Waters performing at Darcelle XV Showplace in 2022

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Poison Waters was a host for Vashon, Washington's online pride festivities.[35] She was also recruited to be Oregon's "drag ambassador" by Drag Out the Vote, a nonpartisan national organization "aiming to educate, register, and turn out voters, while maximizing fun and some glorious looks in the process".[36] In 2021, Poison Waters encouraged people to wear face masks on public transportation as part of TriMet's public service campaign.[37] She also hosted a youth fashion show fundraiser in Portland, in which she modeled upcycled new designs with other local drag performers.[38] During the city's annual Pride Festival, which was mostly held online because of the pandemic, Poison Waters provided entertainment as part of a film screening benefitting LGBT veterans.[39][40] Additionally, she performed at a socially distanced outdoor entertainment venue at Zidell Yards.[1][41] In Hillsboro, she appeared at an outdoor pride concert as well as "Pride Storytime" for children at a local community center.[42] She also hosted drag bingo, fundraisers, and corporate events via Zoom.[25]

Poison Waters writes a weekly column for the digital LGBT publication Shoutout, featuring local drag artists, as of 2021.[43] In 2021, Cook taught a course at Portland Community College called "Histories of Drag Performance in Portland".[14] The University of Portland's Gender and Sexuality Partnership hosted the show "Poison Waters and friends" in 2022.[44]

Recognition

Poison Waters has been described as "iconic",[45] and in 2021, Portland Monthly writers called her "a shining jewel in our city".[46] According to the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest, which named her a "queer hero" in 2013, Poison Waters has also been recognized by Cascade AIDS Project, the Coalition for AIDS, the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, the Oregon Bears, and Pride Northwest for her "steadfast work within the HIV/AIDS community".[15]

See also

References
  1. Vondersmith, Jason (April 5, 2021). "Darcelle and friends take the (outdoor) stage". Portland Tribune. Pamplin Media Group. OCLC 46708462. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. Burris & Costello 2021, 9:05.
  3. "Who is Poison Waters? Artslandia at the Performance Nov/Dec 2017". Artslandia. November 9, 2017. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  4. Burris & Costello 2021, 15:52.
  5. Burris & Costello 2021, 10:32.
  6. Burris, Emily; Costello, Ian (June 11, 2021). 6 Questions: Poison Waters. KOIN. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  7. Burris & Costello 2021, 10:49.
  8. Burris & Costello 2021, 9:57.
  9. Burris & Costello 2021, 12:00–13:00.
  10. Burris & Costello 2021, 14:00.
  11. Oehler, Justin (5 February 2016). "Always Funny and Ever Wise: Poison Waters". The Western Howl. Western Oregon University. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  12. Burris & Costello 2021, 16:20–16:50.
  13. Burris & Costello 2021, 9:28.
  14. Ligori, Crystal; Camhi, Tiffany (June 23, 2021). "Poison Waters dives into the history, craft and politics of drag". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  15. "Queer Heroes NW 2013: Kevin Cook/Poison Waters". Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. Pope, Cervante (November 26, 2019). "Poison Waters Says Volunteering Is the "Easiest Way to Enrich Your Soul and Help the Community."". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  17. "8 things to do this weekend: June 25–27". KGW. June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  18. Rook, Erin. "Portland's Poison Waters Returns to Bend for 11th Annual Drag Show". The Source Weekly. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  19. Easlon, Janae (May 28, 2019). "Hillsboro to host first Pride event June 1". Hillsboro News Times. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  20. Harrell, Saphara (August 2, 2019). "Salem Pride in the Park materializes thanks to volunteer support". Salem Reporter. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  21. Jankowski, Andrew (June 30, 2020). "Portland's Oldest LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Responds to Allegations of Racism and Insensitive Language". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  22. Williams, Lee (September 18, 2017). "Darcelle XV turns 50 amid a drag scene it helped go mainstream". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  23. Hallman Jr., Tom (December 18, 2021). "For these Portland artists, performing for live audiences again is a holiday gift". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  24. "Sexapalooza: Hot (or Not) in the Oregon Convention Center". Willamette Week. 19 November 2012. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  25. Hamilton, Katherine Chew (September 3, 2020). "A New Drag Brunch Is Coming to the Historic Darcelle XV". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  26. Smith, Suzette (June 6, 2019). "The Unique Flavors of Portland's Drag Brunches". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  27. DeCosta, Nicole (June 18, 2020). "6 Things for Father's Day weekend 2020". KOIN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  28. Dowling, Jennifer (September 8, 2018). "Drag Queen Storytime is a hit at Holgate Library". KOIN. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  29. Carson, Teresa (September 11, 2018). "Drag Queen Storytime struts into Fairview Library Sept. 24". The Outlook. Pamplin Media Group. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  30. Truong, Kevin (October 16, 2018). "From Brooklyn to Wichita, public libraries create LGBTQ-affirming spaces". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  31. Concannon, Sophie; Retz, Gregory (June 3, 2019). "50 years since Stonewall". Portland State Vanguard. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  32. Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (June 22, 2020). "As Portland's Restaurants Reopen, the City Celebrates Juneteenth With Parties and Fundraisers". Eater Portland. Vox Media. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  33. "Kevin Cook (aka Poison Waters) for Girls Inc.'s Power of the Purse". KATU. June 4, 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  34. "Portland drag queens raise money for cancer". KOIN. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  35. Shepherd, Elizabeth (June 18, 2020). "Time for Pride, with online events including a dance party". Island Beachcomber. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  36. McCann, Fiona (August 20, 2020). "Poison Waters Gets Primed to Drag Out the Vote". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  37. "Portland drag queen Poison Waters promotes proper mask safety on public transportation". KATU. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  38. Smith, Suzette (May 12, 2021). "The Hottest Drag Show in Portland This Week Features Outfits Made From "Trash" and Designed by Kids". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  39. Stein, Rosemarie (June 7, 2021). "These live and virtual events celebrate Pride 2021 in Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  40. Johnson, Destiny (June 10, 2021). "8 things to do this weekend in the Portland metro: June 11–13". KGW. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  41. "Get Busy: What to Do in Portland This Week, Inside and Outdoors". Willamette Week. June 15, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  42. Jankowski, Andrew (June 1, 2021). "A Portland Pride Events Guide". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  43. Reed, Conner (February 16, 2021). "Shoutout Aims to Fill a Void in Portland's LGBTQ Coverage". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  44. "The art of drag comes to UP". The Beacon. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  45. "🎧 6 Questions: Poison Waters". KOIN. June 11, 2021. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  46. Dawn, Eden; Carlos, Lauren; Mayer, Jordyn (May 17, 2021). "Black-Owned Businesses: Service Directory". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
External video
video icon Meet Poison Waters: MORE gets to know Portland’s famous drag queen, KPTV (May 11, 2018)
video icon KGW Carpool: Poison Waters with Brenda Braxton on YouTube (October 10, 2018)
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