March 24, 2023, at 2:07 p.m. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Walter C. Cole, better known as the iconic drag queen who performed for decades as Darcelle XV, has died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon.

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This is Rick Best.  He was 53 and a veteran of the army.  He had three teenage sons and a 12 year old daughter.  He also gave his life to defending two muslim girls on the MAX train last night.  He also deserves to be known.  Thank you Talisein and Rick.  You are symbols of the good in this world and true heroes to your city.  I am so sorry for what happened to you and send all my love to your grieving families and loved ones

a third person, micah david-cole fletcher who is 21 is in the hospital with serious but non life threatening injuries. micah won a poetry contest in 2013 for a poem condemning prejudice against muslims and last year (photo above) did a poetry reading on a max train with other young poets interested in social justice. (source)

you can make monetary donations to these men’s families. there’s one set up for taliesin and rick’s loved ones and another one is for micah’s medical expenses and recovery. the bilal masjid, a mosque located in beaverton oregon, has an option on its website to donate to the families.

hopefully the young ladies these men protected are also getting the support they need as well. 

destinee mangum, one of the teens who was targeted by the white supremacist, has spoken out. while destinee is not muslim, her friend is and this man yelled at them, telling them to go back to saudi arabia. the young ladies moved to the back of the train, trying to get away from the situation when the confrontation between this bastard and the men happened.

So close to home. RIP gentlemen and I hope Micah makes a speedy recovery 💓

I was at Portland Pride, and y’all don’t even understand this man’s power. This photo is from the back, so you don’t see the perfection of the outfit, the chiseled jaw, the truth of his incredible shoulders-to-waist ratio, the reflective aviators.

It’s a still image, so you don’t see the confidence with which he walks. He KNOWS he’s the shit. We were walking in opposite directions on the sidewalk as he was getting into position for the parade, and I short circuited. This man is FINE, and he knows it.

You DEFINITELY don’t know that one of the drag queens who was calling the parade, when he walked by, stopped mid-sentence and said, and this is a direct quote,

“Sir, that absolutely is America’s ass. I probably shouldn’t say that, but it’s true.” Every single person in the crowd who was even a little bit attracted to men whooped and clapped at that truth.

This man is my hero.

Turns out they use neutral pronouns—see: starcaptainyork on Instagram. Here are some of their pics from facebook (easiest to screencap), featuring the aviators, front-view, and confirming Cap-appropriate jaw line:

York Bezbozny is a Pride treasure.

my favorite review started cold with “it’s sadder on the inside”

Annie Lennox who