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Getting to Know the ISRC nominee for 

Queen Mother II of the Americas: 

Queen Mother II of all Oregon, Rose Empress XLIV 

~ Dr. Poison Waters

For almost four decades Dr. Poison Waters has entertained from countless stages throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, coordinating, participating in and hosting an endless docket of benefits, revues and shows for various local, regional and national charities. She has been recognized and rewarded for her community service, raising awareness, and providing entertainment to such charities as Cascade AIDS Project, Dress for Success Oregon, Dove Lewis, Make a Wish Foundation, and the Oregon Humane Society. Poison has received The Assistance League of Greater Portland’s National Operation School Bell Award, a Jose Honor as well as 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. A member of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court her entire drag career has garnered her the following prestigious positions: 1988 Rosebud/Jr. Empress, 1989 First Lady, 1995 Princess XXV, and 2001 Rose Empress XLIV.

Other career highlights have been invitations to speak on the Capitol steps in Salem, addressing the Oregon House of Representatives and multiple invitations to speak at City Hall in Portland. Also, Dr. Waters has been the Grand Marshal of the Portland Rose Festival’s 2023 CareOregon Starlight Parade, Pride Northwest’s Portland Pride Parade and Beaverton Pride’s Pride Parade. In 2026 she will celebrate her 17 th anniversary recurring role in Oregon Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker and is in her 6 th year as an adjunct professor at Portland Community College teaching an online course on Portland’s Drag History. 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 36 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.

Following the passing of Rose Empress XV, Darcelle, Poison was elevated to the position of Queen Mother II of all Oregon by the International Court System and Queen Mother I of the Americas I, Empress Nicole the Great, and was awarded Silver (2 nd ) in the Best of Gay Cities global online poll in the category of Best Local Drag Queen.

Also in 2025 Poison was honored to have been invited to act as the Grand Marshal for the Portland Mardi Gras Parade by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, Knighted by the Portland Rose Festival’s Royal Rosarians, Sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, received an Honorary Doctorate degree from Portland State University and came in First Place in Willamette Week’s Best of Portland Readers’ Poll category for Best Drag Queen! Just before 2025 came to a close, the NBA/Portland Trailblazers named Dr. Poison a Game Changer, an honor bestowed upon those making changes in their Communities. 2026 marks the 26th 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). 2026 continues to bring opportunities benefitting Dr. Poison Waters and the Community she represents. 

Leadership in Action

1988-Present ISRC

1988-Present ICS