Poison Waters, a drag performer formerly known as Kevin Cook, epitomizes Portland’s vibrant nightlife and culture. With a career that she labels as ‘accidental,’ her rise in drag has been anything but by chance.
Despite her humble characterization of her journey, Waters’ career has flourished through years of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to glamorous self-expression.
Today, her influence extends beyond the clubs of Portland, permeating various sectors of community, education, and governance.
Highly regarded and often celebrated, Poison Waters has become a familiar face in Portland, even serving as the face of TriMet, the city’s public transportation.
Waters reminisces about her early days when her sole desire was to be adored and to enjoy life. ‘I used to say, “I’m only responsible for the eyelashes back.” I didn’t care about anything else. Just me,’ she recalls fondly.
However, her perspective has evolved significantly over the decades. ‘I still say that, but in a completely different way,’ Waters admits. Today, she sees her role as more than just a performer; she recognizes the profound impact of her presence in the community.
‘When I think back to my early days, I just wanted to be pretty and have fun, and I wanted everybody to love me,’ she explains. ‘But now, I’m the littlest part of this big thing.’
Embracing her icon status in Portland, she emphasizes her commitment to the wider community. ‘My presence is for the community, for the city, for the region, the whole Pacific Northwest. I want to represent all of us,’ she states.
Conscious of her influence, Waters understands the significance of drag beyond performance art. ‘There’s the drag, but then there’s the ripple effect of all that the drag means to us,’ she adds, highlighting her journey from self-absorption to community awareness.
Waters’ sense of belonging is deeply connected to the city. When reflecting on the choice between local celebrity and pursuing fame in larger cities like L.A. or NYC, she expressed unwavering loyalty to Portland. ‘Why would I want to start anywhere else? I’ve made my way to the top and I’m not going to start all over just for the glamorous opportunity,’ she affirms.
Her resilience is rooted in her experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during critical times, particularly during the late ’80s when the drag community faced significant challenges. ‘Coming out in the late ’80s and having literally the entire drag community decimated, then having to start from scratch and rebuild, we do these things because we have to. For those who weren’t able to,’ she reflects.
Poison Waters is a testament to career longevity, with over 35 years at the Darcelle XV Showplace and 37 years partnering with Cascade AIDS Project. She has also collaborated with Portland Monthly for more than 20 years.
‘All the different groups I work with, the nonprofits, they hire me one time thinking, “Oh, it’s going to be fun to have a drag queen.” Fifteen years later, I’m still emceeing all their events,’ she notes, emphasizing that her involvement in drag extends beyond the nightclub scene.
‘For me, drag is not just the nightclub scene,’ she continues. ‘For me, my drag is the whole town, the whole city, all the arts groups, the health groups, the education groups, all the groups I work with.’
In a city that prides itself on its rich arts culture, Poison Waters stands out as an enduring symbol of resilience and community.
image source from：wweek
