Nature is Queer: How Pattie Gonia is Transforming Climate Activism Through Drag

Under a single, piercing spotlight, a towering figure draped in a hooded robe slowly struts onto the stage, their back to an expectant, buzzing audience. The tension in the room is palpable. Then, in a moment of theater that feels both revolutionary and inevitable, the screen behind them erupts in bold, stark lettering: "NATURE IS GAY."

With a fluid, triumphant twirl, the performer reveals themselves—Pattie Gonia, the alter-ego of environmentalist Wyn Wiley. Clad in an earthy, vibrant blue-and-green crop top and a skirt that barely contains their chiseled physique, Gonia commands the stage with a blend of rugged outdoorsmanship and high-camp glamour. The crowd of over a thousand fans erupts into a roar, marking the beginning of the "Save Her" tour, a groundbreaking intersectional performance series that seeks to protect both the "dolls"—the queer community—and the planet itself.

The Intersection of Joy and Resistance

The "Save Her" tour is not merely a show; it is a manifestation of a new era of climate activism. By weaving together the artistry of drag with the existential urgency of the climate crisis, Pattie Gonia has moved beyond traditional protest methods, opting instead for a model of "radical joy."

For the past eight years, Wiley—working under the moniker Pattie Gonia—has cultivated a digital and physical following of over two million people. Their work has been recognized globally; they were named one of TIME magazine’s most influential creators in 2025, identified as an "agent of change" by National Geographic, and invited to the TED stage to argue that joy is not an antidote to activism, but a requirement for it.

Chronology of a Movement

Pattie Gonia’s ascent to the forefront of environmentalism has been marked by bold, high-visibility actions that challenge the traditional image of a climate activist.

• 2018–2020: Wiley begins their journey, using social media to bridge the gap between outdoor recreation and queer identity, co-founding the "Outdoorist Oath" to foster environmental equity.
• 2024: Gonia completes a grueling 100-mile trek from Point Reyes National Seashore to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in full drag—hair, heels, and all—to raise $1 million for environmental and social justice organizations.
• 2024 (September): The "Save Her" tour officially kicks off during Climate Week in New York City, setting the tone for a nationwide series of performances.
• 2025 (May): Gonia embarks on a five-day hike at Yosemite, continuing their trend of integrating athletic endurance with drag performance to highlight the importance of protected public lands.
• 2026 (January): Patagonia files a trademark lawsuit against Pattie Gonia, sparking a firestorm of debate regarding brand identity and the role of activists in the commercial sphere.

The Patagonia Litigation: A Clash of Values

The most significant challenge to Gonia’s momentum has arrived in the form of a legal battle. In January 2026, the clothing giant Patagonia initiated a lawsuit against the drag performer following Gonia’s attempt to trademark the "Pattie Gonia" brand for commercial products and events.

Patagonia argues that the trademark application infringes upon their brand identity and risks confusing consumers. For Gonia, the lawsuit represents a profound "betrayal." In a statement posted to social media, they noted that suing a climate activist—particularly one who has spent years promoting environmental stewardship—is antithetical to the values the brand claims to champion.

The public reaction has been fractured. While some supporters have called for a boycott of Patagonia products, others argue that corporations have a fiduciary duty to protect their intellectual property, regardless of the target. The dispute highlights a growing tension: what happens when the branding of a "green" company clashes with the grassroots, independent branding of an individual activist?

Climate Crisis: The "Doom and Gloom" Paradox

The "Save Her" tour takes aim at the paralysis often caused by traditional environmental messaging. As attendee Kirby Callaway, an environmental professional, noted, "So much of the way that I interact with the climate crisis in the real world is very doom and gloom. I don’t feel like a lot of places get to celebrate and find joy and laugh at these issues."

The show’s performances illustrate this point. During a set by drag king Uncle Freak, the humor is sharp and biting. Appearing as a geriatric man, the performance uses the absurdity of aging to pivot to a sobering fact displayed on the screen: "Climate change accelerates biological aging in older adults by increasing vulnerability to extreme heat, dehydration, and air pollution."

The show’s headliners, including Sequoia and King Molasses, use the medium to address complex, heavy topics. Sequoia, performing in an upcycled outfit made from clothing worn during their closeted past, speaks to the gender fluidity of nature. Meanwhile, King Molasses utilizes the tense, building crescendo of Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight" to mirror the accelerating rate of ice cap melting and the rise of environmental data-center pollution.

The Political Reality: A Rally for the Marginalized

The timing of the "Save Her" tour is inextricably linked to the current political climate. Under the current administration, the erasure of LGBTQ+ history in national parks, the restriction of access to gender-affirming care, and the slashing of environmental protections for clean air and water have created a state of emergency for many.

For the performers and their audience, the drag show functions as a political rally. At the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., the atmosphere was electric with defiance. Local performer Brooke N. Hymen articulated the sentiment clearly: "Pride month can be a celebration and it should be, but it should also be resistance against the forces that want to see us eliminated. Climate activism goes hand in hand with trans and queer activism."

The closing moments of the show featured the three headliners standing before an American flag, with each stripe emblazoned with a call to action: Eat the rich. Protect the dolls. Free Palestine. Black lives still matter. No one is illegal on stolen land.

Implications: The Future of Advocacy

The implications of Pattie Gonia’s work are far-reaching. By centering the queer experience in the environmental movement, they are expanding the definition of who "belongs" in the outdoors and who has a right to lead in the climate space.

The "Save Her" tour demonstrates that drag can be a potent, high-engagement tool for political mobilization. While the lawsuit with Patagonia continues to loom, the movement surrounding Gonia suggests that the appetite for intersectional, joyful, and unapologetically political activism is only growing.

As King Molasses put it: "The opportunity this tour gives us is that drag allows us to play and show something that feels like entertainment. But if we can do it in a particular way, we are able to not only entertain but to call our community to action."

In a world where climate data is often ignored and marginalized voices are increasingly silenced, the "Save Her" tour provides a necessary, vibrant space for both rage and hope. It is a reminder that nature is, indeed, queer—and that the fight to save it requires the participation of every color in the rainbow.