Pattie Gonia — Environmental Activism through Drag

By Sarah Van Veen

In honor of Pride Month, I figured it was only fitting to discuss Pattie Gonia- a drag queen who uses her platform to draw awareness to sustainability issues while opening up the outdoors community, which is often represented as being very heteronormative. You may have seen pictures or videos of her hiking in boots with six-inch heels or some of her creative sustainable looks. Wyn Wiley, the photographer behind Pattie Gonia, also chronicles his journey with sustainability, including some of the mistakes and setbacks he’s made along the way.

For a lot of people, Pattie represents a lot more than just a drag queen. She’s fostered a community of people who share in their love for the environment and desire for more diversity in the outdoors and hiking community. Whether it’s through group hikes, panels, fundraisers, or music videos, Pattie constantly works to create opportunities for discussions on inclusion for members of the LGBTQ+ community and BIPOC.

Pattie Gonia has made some incredible looks using some non-conventional materials. From makeup styles that incorporate leaves to high fashion dresses made of trash, she uses creativity to upcycle all kinds of materials. Staying true to her brand as the World’s First Backpacking Drag Queen, Pattie has used everything from sleeping bags, old fishing nets (fishnets- literally!), and even a tent!

Pattie’s Instagram blew up quickly. Gaining 12,000 followers in her first week, she now has over 270K followers. Pattie has been featured on Vogue, Elle, and Backpackers- and was even listed as one of Vogue’s “100 people pushing boundaries for 2019”. Her platform continues to grow, which she credits with everyone having “a bit of Pattie in them”, she’s spoken up about the importance of this community.

“this journey of self-love is yes, for me, but it’s also for every single person who wants to believe their unique matters, queer or not, to know that we all have permission to go into our closets, grab our heels and put them on. So yes, for me, my heels are literal six-inch latex moments but maybe your “heels” are your passion or your activism or your goddamn weird. I am here to say the parts you keep quiet, the parts you think the world won’t love, are the very thing the world needs. We are waiting on the sidelines, ready to cheer you on. If you don’t show us, who will?” -Pattie Gonia