Over the years, Harlot’s drag has progressed into something drawn out of the deepest depths of herself. She credits some of the first drag shows she attended, where she felt such raw emotions and inclusivity emanating from the performers, she decided she wanted to recreate that herself. “When I go onstage, there’s always a message, but I want to make them feel something,” says Harlot. “That’s why we all go to shows. We all go to be entertained, and it’s a gag. But I think it’s really important to bring something that people can relate to. There’s always that one kid in the crowd that didn’t know it was OK to feel like this and it’s OK to do this. And it brings a sense of community that we all go through the same shit and that’s OK.”
One of the most powerful things Harlot says in our short time together is that “You have every right to be as loud and as gay as you wanna be,” she says, “and you also have every right to be as quiet and as calm as you wanna be. Some people don’t have that voice and that’s OK. So when other people can’t say what they wanna say, you scream what you’re saying twice as loud for them.” It’s a good thing Harlot doesn’t plan on skipping town anytime soon, as she says she’s getting everything she needs out of her drag right here in Salt Lake. And let’s be honest, we need strong figures like her to light the way for a brighter and queerer future.
While The Bad Kids Collective currently undergoes an exciting transition period, be sure to follow The Harlot on social media at Facebook and Instagram @theee_harlot to stay tuned for exciting changes for the group and keep supporting your local drag queens!
Outspoken and unapologetic, Wade Leavitt, aka The Harlot, is making waves in the Salt Lake drag community with her big personality and even bigger brows. Photo: ThatGuyGil
The Harlot is a beautiful and bearded, Las Vegas–grown queen. Photo: ThatGuyGil
Looking into The Harlot’s fabulous life of inclusivity and self-love. Photo: ThatGuyGil
“[My parents] didn’t realize that Cedar City was tiny and there was nothing to do except get into trouble.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
Being in high school at the height of the emo scene, some makeup and gender probing was acceptable, and The Harlot began to experiment with questioning the traditional gender binary she learned from being raised LDS. Photo: ThatGuyGil
The Harlot.
“Growing up, my mother believed heavily in gender roles, and it always kind of pissed me off as a kid.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
“Drag developed not as an escape, but as a way for me to express myself and let it be celebrated without anyone trying to tell me what it was or what I couldn’t do.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
Let’s be honest—we need strong figures like The Harlot to light the way for a brighter and queerer future. Photo: ThatGuyGil
The Harlot is more of an extension of her self than a persona. Photo: ThatGuyGil
The Harlot centers her performances on not only her look, but also self-love. Photo: ThatGuyGil
In opening herself up to the world of drag and absorbing the name The Harlot, she reveals to me that she doesn’t believe in having a drag persona. Photo: ThatGuyGil
“Everything I do onstage is something that I feel.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
“I use [drag] to process and express and let it all out.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
“I’m a very confident person, but it took me a lot of years to stop hating myself because of the whole society of LDS crap.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
Visually speaking, her drag is inspired by her mother and grandmother (who just doesn’t know it yet): big and beautiful. Photo: ThatGuyGil
“If it’s what gives you life, then go out there and give that damn life to that song.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
“When I go onstage, there’s always a message, but I want to make them feel something,” says Harlot. “That’s why we all go to shows. We all go to be entertained, and it’s a gag. But I think it’s really important to bring something that people can relate to. There’s always that one kid in the crowd that didn’t know it was OK to feel like this and it’s okay to do this. And it brings a sense of community that we all go through the same shit and that’s OK.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
The Harlot’s typical performances have her grinding onstage to a Top 40 track. Photo: ThatGuyGil
Harlot credits some of the first drag shows she attended, where she felt such raw emotions and inclusivity emanating from the performers, she decided she wanted to recreate that herself. Photo: ThatGuyGil
“You have every right to be as loud and as gay as you wanna be,” she says, “and you also have every right to be as quiet and as calm as you wanna be. Some people don’t have that voice and that’s OK. So when other people can’t say what they wanna say, you scream what you’re saying twice as loud for them.” Photo: ThatGuyGil
!["[My parents] didn’t realize that Cedar City was tiny and there was nothing to do except get into trouble.” Photo: ThatGuyGil](https://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/00-ED-SLUG-CreatureFeature-Harlot-GilGarcia26.jpg)
![“I use [drag] to process and express and let it all out.” Photo: ThatGuyGil](https://www.slugmag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/00-ED-SLUG-CreatureFeature-Harlot-GilGarcia12.jpg)
