Portland’s O’Bryant Square to be renamed Darcelle XV Plaza after legendary drag performer and civic icon

The City of Portland will change the name of O’Bryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza next week in honor of legendary drag performer Darcelle, also known as Walter Cole, who died March 23 at age 92, city officials announced Friday.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Dan Ryan, who heads the parks department, called the decision a symbol of the city’s progress toward embracing diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.