Biography
Poison Waters is not just a personality. Poison is an
experience!! Whether dressed as Poison Waters or her alter ego Kevin Cook, they
are both captivating and one of a kind!
For over three decades Poison has been having
tons of FUN entertaining from countless stages throughout the Pacific Northwest
and beyond. She has been very busy coordinating, participating in and hosting
an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local, regional and
national non-profit as well as for profit organizations. She has been
recognized and rewarded for her community service, raising awareness, and providing
entertainment to many, many charities such as Cascade AIDS Project, Dress for Success
Oregon, Make a Wish Foundation, and the Oregon Humane Society. Poison has
received the Ray C Snively Humanitarian Award, The Assistance League of
Greater Portland’s National Operation School Bell Award, a Jose Honor and a Lifetime Achievement
Award from the International Court System, the 2023 Mama Bernice Humanitarian Award from the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court of Oregon, the Fred E. Tree Spirit of Stonewall Award for outstanding activism and leadership, the 2022 Klonsky Award for Civic Engagement. Hero of HIV Award and the Red Ribbon Award from the
Coalition for AIDS Awareness just to name a few. The booking invitations never
stop!
Highlights have been appearances with Pink Martini, repeat segments on AM Northwest, opening for Storm Large at her Holiday Ordeal, Drag Queen Storytelling at Multnomah County Libraries, and in 2024 will celebrate her 14th anniversary recurring role in Oregon Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker and is in 4th year teaching an online course on Portland’s Drag History with Portland Community College. Poison is honored to have been the Grand Marshal of the Portland Rose Festival’s 2023 CareOregon Starlight Parade and the Pride Northwest’s Portland Pride Parade! Hundreds of thousands have enjoyed her wit, charm and beauty! When she is not enjoying her time hosting events and fundraisers or traveling the globe, she is the co-hostess at the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace where she has been wildly popular for 34 years. In July 2023, Poison was a co producer of Drag-a-Thon, the Guinness World Record breaking longest running drag show at 48 hours, 11 minutes and 30 seconds, raising over $300,000.00 for The Trevor Project! Featured in the best selling book, Legends of Drag, Poison was also listed in the Oregonian newspaper as one of the 25 most inspiring people of 2023.
2024 also marks the 24th year volunteering with summer camps for children whose lives have been affected by HIV. Poison, as Kevin is the Camp Director for Cascade AIDS Projects’ Camp KC (Kids Connection). During the Covid 19 global pandemic, Poison went virtual, bringing her Drag Queen Bingo, Drag Queen Storytime and event hosting to thousands of new fans all over the world.
Whatever the title, event, cause or venue, one thing remains the same: the important bond between Poison Waters and her audience. She remains, “the smile on the face of Portland.” www.poisonwaters.com