Kamala Harris Learns to Snap a Fan From Shangela at the Abbey Gay Bar

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris has undergone a sacred rite of passage in gay culture -- learning how to snap a fan from a drag queen.

It was none other than RuPaul's Drag Race's Shangela who taught the Democratic presidential candidate and California senator the proper technique Wednesday night at the Abbey.

Harris made a surprise appearance at the West Hollywood establishment in advance of the Human Rights Campaign's LGBTQ presidential town hall, where the candidates will lay out their stances on LGBTQ issues.

Harris had a brief sit-down with the Abbey's owner, David Cooley, before pausing to take a selfie with Shangela, who was out of drag that evening. During the encounter, the A Star Is Born actor passed her fan to Harris. "You do it, I want to see you!" said the drag performer.

Initially, Harris fumbled with the device. But after a brief demonstration from Shangela, Harris nailed the snap to the cheers of the crowd who had gathered around her.

"Halleloo for Harris!" exclaimed Shangela, modifying her trademark phrase to a campaign slogan for the contender. She later posted the exchange to Instagram.

Harris will join Vice President Joe Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, businessman Tom Steyer, Sen. Cory Booker, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren at the LGBTQ-focused town hall, which will be held Thursday at the Novo in Los Angeles on the eve of National Coming Out Day. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is recovering from a heart attack, will not be in attendance. CNN will air the event.