Portland, Oregon’s public schools welcomed back its students with a message from a drag queen.
The performer, Poison Waters, whose legal name is Kevin Cook, said in the video, “I’m here to wish you all a successful 2026, 2027 school year and to thank all the amazing principals, teachers, and staff for your dedication to your students and their learning. While we can often get caught up in the hustle and bustle, it’s so important to remember that together we rise with excellence and purpose.”
Cook has been described by Portland State University as a “doctor of drag.”
“Also known as Kevin Cook in the off hours, Waters is more than a performer,” the profile says. “She is a tireless advocate and educator and a fabulous personality deeply intertwined with the pulse of Portland — including a long-standing connection to Portland State University that recently culminated in a momentous honor.”
Heritage Foundation education research fellow Corey DeAngelis said in a statement to Fox News that the video is “beyond parody.”
“Portland Public Schools’ back-to-school video is beyond parody,” DeAngelis said. “The government school system is trying to groom young impressionable minds into gender ideology. They want to brainwash other people’s kids and replace their families. The school system has overstepped their boundaries and needs to stay in its lane. The public school system is rubbing it in that they have control over children whether the parents like it or not. Kids don’t belong to the government. Parents are responsible for passing down values to their children, not government schools.”
Portland lawmakers have previously invited drag queens to the state’s House floor for Pride month.
