What Happened to Wyn Wiley (Pattie Gonia)?
Pattie Gonia, the drag persona of Wyn Wiley, is a prominent environmentalist, drag queen, and LGBTQ+ activist who uses their platform to advocate for climate action and inclusivity in the outdoors. Since gaining viral fame in 2018, they have co-founded the non-profit "The Outdoorist Oath" and raised millions for various environmental and queer organizations. As of mid-2026, Pattie Gonia is actively touring their "SAVE HER!" environmental drag show and is publicly engaged in a trademark dispute with outdoor apparel company Patagonia, Inc.
Quick Answer
Pattie Gonia, known offstage as Wyn Wiley, is an American drag queen, environmentalist, and LGBTQ+ activist who has gained widespread recognition for blending drag artistry with outdoor advocacy. They use their viral social media presence to promote climate action, diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor spaces, and have co-founded "The Outdoorist Oath." As of June 2026, Pattie Gonia is on tour with their environmental drag show "SAVE HER!" and is publicly challenging a trademark infringement lawsuit filed against them by Patagonia, Inc., which they view as an attempt to silence their activism.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Pattie Gonia Character Created and Goes Viral
Wyn Wiley creates the drag persona Pattie Gonia, posting a video of themselves hiking in heels that quickly garners over 100 million views across platforms, launching their career as an environmental and LGBTQ+ activist.
Attends Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Drag
Pattie Gonia gains media attention for attending the Outdoor Retailer trade show in full white drag, bringing their unique blend of activism to the industry.
Featured by BBC News
BBC News produces a video highlighting Pattie Gonia's work and activism, further expanding their international reach.
Co-founds The Outdoorist Oath
Wiley co-founds 'The Outdoorist Oath,' a non-profit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion and environmental causes within the outdoors community.
Dresses as 'Climate Change' for Halloween
Pattie Gonia receives media coverage for their Halloween costume, where they dressed as 'climate change,' continuing to use creative outfits for climate awareness.
Releases 'Won't Give Up' with Yo-Yo Ma
Pattie Gonia releases the climate change anthem 'Won't Give Up' in collaboration with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Indigenous trans musician Quinn Christopherson, with a music video filmed at Exit Glacier in Alaska.
Named TIME Magazine Next Gen Leader and National Geographic Traveler of the Year
Pattie Gonia receives significant accolades, being recognized as a TIME Magazine Next Gen Leader and National Geographic Traveler of the Year, highlighting their growing influence.
Gives TEDTalk on Joy in Climate Fight
Pattie Gonia delivers a TEDTalk, emphasizing the crucial role of joy in the fight against climate change and in supporting queer rights.
'SAVE HER!' Tour Announced for Asheville
Explore Asheville announces Pattie Gonia's 'SAVE HER!' environmental drag show will perform in Asheville in September 2025, coinciding with Blue Ridge Pride Festival.
Completes 100-Mile Trek, Raises $1 Million
Pattie Gonia completes a 100-mile trek in full drag from Point Reyes National Seashore to San Francisco, raising over $1 million for eight non-profits focused on equitable outdoor access.
Patagonia, Inc. Files Trademark Lawsuit
Outdoor apparel company Patagonia, Inc. files a federal lawsuit against Wyn Wiley (Pattie Gonia), alleging trademark infringement and dilution due to commercial use of the name and a trademark application.
Featured in Atmos Magazine, Continues 'SAVE HER!' Tour
Pattie Gonia is featured in Atmos Magazine, discussing how nature can bridge divides. They are actively touring their 'SAVE HER!' environmental drag show across the country.
Pattie Gonia Responds Publicly to Patagonia Lawsuit
Pattie Gonia breaks their silence on the Patagonia lawsuit, releasing a video and open letter asking the company to drop the legal claim, arguing it attempts to silence their activism.
Current Status: Ongoing Tour and Legal Battle
As of today, Pattie Gonia continues their 'SAVE HER!' tour with upcoming shows scheduled, while the legal dispute with Patagonia, Inc. remains active, with a scheduling conference set for June 8, 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Wyn Wiley, known professionally as Pattie Gonia, emerged onto the public scene in October 2018 with a viral video showcasing drag in an outdoor setting, quickly establishing a unique niche as an environmentalist drag queen and LGBTQ+ activist. The name 'Pattie Gonia' itself is a playful pun on the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, Inc., a detail that would later become central to a significant legal battle.
Wiley's activism is rooted in 'intersectional environmentalism,' advocating for climate awareness while simultaneously promoting acceptance of queer identities within the environmental and outdoors communities. This approach seeks to highlight the interconnectedness of injustices faced by marginalized communities and the planet. Key initiatives include co-founding 'The Outdoorist Oath' in January 2022, a non-profit focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, and establishing a Queer Outdoor and Environmental Job Board to help diversify these fields. Pattie Gonia has also organized in-person hikes and events for LGBTQ+ and environmental causes, fostering community and engagement.
Throughout their career, Pattie Gonia has garnered significant recognition, including being named Outside Magazine's Person of the Year in 2022, a National Geographic Traveler of the Year in 2024, and a TIME Magazine Next Gen Leader in 2024. They have collaborated with notable figures like cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Indigenous trans musician Quinn Christopherson on the 2023 climate anthem "Won't Give Up," filmed in Kenai Fjords National Park to highlight melting glaciers. Pattie Gonia's work has also involved partnerships with major brands such as The North Face and REI, and they have fundraised over $4.7 million for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and environmental non-profits. In December 2025, Pattie Gonia completed a highly publicized 100-mile trek in full drag from Point Reyes to San Francisco, raising over $1 million for eight non-profits dedicated to making the outdoors more equitable.
A significant turning point occurred in January 2026 when Patagonia, Inc. filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Wyn Wiley (Pattie Gonia). Patagonia alleged that Pattie Gonia's commercial activities, including selling merchandise and filing for a trademark, violated a prior agreement and could confuse consumers about Patagonia's sponsorship or involvement. On May 27, 2026, Pattie Gonia publicly responded to the lawsuit with a video and open letter, asserting that their work is rooted in activism and that the lawsuit represents a corporation attempting to silence an individual activist. They denied using Patagonia's logo or font on their merchandise and stated that the trademark application was for self-protection, citing similar issues faced by other drag artists. As of June 1, 2026, the lawsuit is ongoing, with a scheduling conference set for June 8, 2026. Pattie Gonia continues to tour their "SAVE HER! - An Environmental Drag Show" across the country in 2026, using performance art to engage audiences on climate change and solutions.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Wyn Wiley (Pattie Gonia) made different choices?