About Me

Harley Quinn

I have been cosplaying since 2017. I am a neurodiverse (dyslexic and AuDHD), non-binary (genderfluid) cosplayer.

I am predominately known for cosplaying Harley Quinn. The story behind this, is back in 2018, one of my friends bribed me with a bottle of my favourite Scotch (18 Year Glenfiddich) if I cosplayed the 2016 Suicide Squad Harley Quinn. I agreed, never thinking I would ever wear it. I ended up meeting a group called SQUAD UK; as I began establishing a foot hold in the cosplay community online. I was invited to one of their events, but naturally my only cosplay to fit their theme, was Harley Quinn.

To take a minor detour to the past, throughout my childhood and years of early development, I was relentlessly bullied. As a result I was left with trauma, body dysmorphia, social anxiety, no self-esteem and depression. I was at rock bottom before Harley Quinn. Stuck in a ‘stop gap’ job for several years after completing my degree, feeling like I was treading cement, unable to move forward, facing toxic relationships and with no confidence to fight and push on; whilst the ground around me was solidifying (trapping me in one spot.)

Harley Quinn saved my life figuratively and physically. That one event with SQUAD UK, (publicly being Harley Quinn) unlocked something. For the first time in my life, I felt confidence. It is that whole theory of hiding behind a mask and the more I cosplayed as Harley Quinn, the more that mask ate into my face. Whenever I hit moments of feeling weak, I remind myself I am Harley Quinn. Because, without her, I would not be in the job I am now and I would not be opening doors to endless new opportunities. She turned my life around.

Additionally, Harley Quinn enabled me to explore my gender identity. Growing up, I did not have a sense of belonging. I did not completely relate to my male friends, nor did I completely relate with my female friends. I have always had an internal struggle, feeling as though I had two entities battling for control. I have had to solely wear my masculine persona all my life; regularly feeling moments of imposter syndrome. Frequently, I questioned my gender, one moment believing I was trans, the next believing I was cis, not knowing there was a feasible middle option. Being Harley Quinn allowed that feminine persona to flourish and helped me understand myself. She enabled me to explore that other side to me which squashed that internal battle. I was able to accept and nurture my female side whilst not completely eliminating my male side. Harley Quinn helped me navigate and understand being non-binary.

Harley Quinn was the torch I needed in a dark time. The shield I needed to overcome adversity. The mask I needed to reinvent myself. The entity I needed to rediscover myself. She is the strength and resilience locked away inside me.

As such, most of my portfolio is dedicated to that character, I have over 100 variants of Harley Quinn, with those numbers ever growing.

Cosplay

This hobby that I have done for 9 years is cosplay. Cosplay, by definition, is costume roleplay.

This rich artform (dating as far back as the late 1930’s) celebrates fandoms. Fans create their own costumes and dress up as their favourite characters (embodying their personas), usually at comic conventions.

Cosplay for me, beyond being a hobby, has been a way to explore my own identity and overcome many battles.

Charity

Within this hobby I regularly support charities, such as: MIND, Autism Anglia, Great Ormond Street, Helena’s Hospice, Little Haven’s Hospices, Colchester Hospital, Wyntercon, Feel the Force Day & DENS. I support these charities predominately through fundraising and via volunteering at family events.

COVID

Moreover, during the COVID scare I was regularly filming videos for families (upon request) to send my support through: motivational messages, reading stories and setting creative tasks as distractions.

Likewise, post COVID, I have been able to support families with non-binary/trans children by encouraging them to be themselves. Furthermore, I work as an anti-bullying ambassador and devote a lot of free time supporting victims of bullying (and mental health sufferers), using my mental health first-aider training.

Platform

Additionally, I use my platform when I get invited as a special guest to Comic-Con’s; to discuss mental health on stage and give people strategies. I also use my platform to discuss navigating cosplay as a non-binary cosplayer; additionally giving advice to AMAB cosplayers who may be facing the same struggles I faced in my journey.

Community

I have even been able to build a whole community within this hobby, to help raise money for charities and support one another at events (and online). This community is called “The Creative Geek CommUnity”.

The community that I have built are also recognised at Comic-Con’s and are often given a table to be a safe space to promote themselves, the artform and positive mental health.

Influence

Lastly, being an influencer for brands such as: DC Comics, has enabled me to give other people a platform, by promoting them on the official DC UK Comics social media pages. Overall, the hobby has been a positive impact; both on me and those around me.