Beloved Portland drag icon and activist Poison Waters (a.k.a. Kevin Cook) delivered a heartfelt, humorous, and empowering speech to the graduates of Portland State University’s College of the Arts. With stories from her decades-long career, reflections on identity and resilience, and a powerful message about living authentically, Poison reminded the Class of 2025 that it’s never too late to embrace who you truly are. Poison Waters has performed and advocated for over 30 years across Portland stages, including the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace, and is a frequent and cherished presence at PSU events. In this unforgettable keynote, she celebrates Pride, Juneteenth, and the joy of being “too much” in all the right ways. More on The College of the Arts Commencement Ceremony at https://www.pdx.edu/commencement/2025... More on commencement at https://www.pdx.edu/commencement More on the College of the Arts at https://www.pdx.edu/arts Visit Portland State University at http://www.pdx.edu