Nature is Queer: How Pattie Gonia is Transforming Environmental Activism Through the Art of Drag
In a world where climate discourse is often trapped in a cycle of "doom and gloom" data, a new form of resistance is emerging—one draped in sequins, towering heels, and radical joy. Environmental activist and drag performer Pattie Gonia is spearheading this shift with the "Save Her" tour, a national performance series that marries the unapologetic political roots of drag with the urgent, existential necessity of climate justice.
Under a single spotlight, a tall figure in a hooded robe struts onto the stage, back to the audience. After a suspenseful beat, the screen behind them illuminates with three bold words: "NATURE IS GAY." With a practiced twirl, Pattie Gonia reveals a ginger-red wig and matching mustache, dancing in an earthy blue-and-green crop top. The crowd of over a thousand roars, setting the tone for an evening that is part cabaret, part political rally, and part climate manifesto.
The Evolution of an Environmental Icon
For eight years, the individual behind the persona—Wyn Wiley—has cultivated a movement that transcends the traditional boundaries of both environmentalism and queer performance. With a digital footprint of over 2 million followers, Pattie Gonia has moved far beyond the persona of an "influencer."
Wiley’s ascent has been marked by significant accolades and unconventional tactics. Named one of TIME’s most influential creators in 2025 and recognized as an "agent of change" by National Geographic, they have successfully bridged the gap between the boardroom and the ballroom. Their work is tangible: they have raised millions for non-profit organizations, co-founded the Outdoorist Oath to foster environmental equity, and launched a dedicated job board to help LGBTQ+ individuals secure employment in the environmental sector.
The persona’s commitment is physical, not just performative. Last year, they completed 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 causes. Most recently, they completed a high-altitude five-day hike in Yosemite, proving that the wilderness is as much a home for drag as any stage.
A Chronology of the "Save Her" Movement
The "Save Her" tour is the culmination of years of advocacy, but its roots lie in the realization that queer communities are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis.
- 2019: Pattie Gonia begins gaining widespread traction by blending outdoor recreation with drag, challenging the "bro-culture" of the outdoors.
- 2024 (September): The "Save Her" tour hits Brooklyn, New York, during Climate Week, cementing the show’s reputation as a fusion of protest and performance art.
- 2025: Wiley is honored as a TIME 100 creator, signaling a mainstream shift in how climate activism is being packaged for younger, more diverse audiences.
- 2026 (January): The ongoing legal dispute with Patagonia begins, sparking a firestorm of debate regarding brand identity, corporate social responsibility, and the ownership of environmental messaging.
- 2026 (Current): The tour travels through more than 20 cities, including a landmark performance at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., where the intersection of climate action and queer survival takes center stage.
The Intersection of Climate and Queer Rights
The urgency of the "Save Her" tour is underscored by a rapidly changing political landscape. As the Trump administration has rolled back protections for LGBTQ+ communities—limiting access to gender-affirming care, removing references to queer history in national parks, and banning transgender service members—the environment has simultaneously faced a period of unprecedented deregulation.
"Drag is political, so in a way, this is like a rally," says D.C. drag king Lionel Bitchie. This sentiment is echoed by local performers like Brooke N. Hymen, who notes that the tour provides a necessary counter-narrative to the "doom and gloom" of standard climate reporting. "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. I feel like climate activism goes hand in hand with trans and queer activism."
The performance acts themselves are highly coded. During the tour, performers often strip down to "Fuck Donald Trump" pasties, while the stage displays parodied versions of Smokey the Bear: "Only you can prevent fascist liars."
Corporate Tensions: The Patagonia Lawsuit
Not all of Pattie Gonia’s path has been smooth. The recent legal battle with outdoor apparel giant Patagonia has placed the drag performer at the center of a complex debate over intellectual property and brand alignment.
The conflict arose when Wiley filed a trademark application for the "Pattie Gonia" brand on commercial products. Patagonia, citing a desire to protect its brand identity, initiated litigation. For many in the queer community, the lawsuit felt like a betrayal of the values Patagonia claims to uphold. Social media has become a battleground, with some fans boycotting the brand, while others argue that trademarks are a standard legal protection for any entity, regardless of its activist roots.
Patagonia has acknowledged the shared goal of protecting the planet but remains firm on the conditions required to settle the dispute. For Wiley, the timing is particularly stinging. "Suing a climate activist is a betrayal of Patagonia’s core mission," they stated on social media. The lawsuit highlights the inherent tension between grassroots activism and the corporate entities that often fund it.
Supporting Data: Why the Stakes are High
The "Save Her" tour does not rely on abstract slogans; it utilizes humor and performance to communicate hard data.
- Health and Aging: In one segment, drag king Uncle Freak performs as a geriatric man to illustrate how climate change accelerates biological aging through heat stress, dehydration, and increased exposure to air pollution.
- Systemic Urgency: King Molasses, winner of the King of Drag reality series, uses Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight" to reflect the "rising tension" of the climate crisis. The performance serves as an allegory for the dangers of data centers, melting ice caps, and severe weather patterns.
- Queer Ecology: Sequoia, a co-headliner, uses the stage to discuss the inherent gender fluidity found in the natural world, reinforcing the message that "Nature is queer."
These performances serve a pedagogical function. By translating scientific concepts—such as the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations—into the language of drag, the tour makes information accessible and emotionally resonant for an audience that might otherwise be alienated by academic or corporate climate presentations.
Implications for Future Activism
The "Save Her" tour represents a fundamental pivot in the "climate movement." By centering joy and rage in equal measure, Pattie Gonia is proving that activism does not have to be joyless to be effective.
"The opportunity that this tour gives all of us artists is that drag allows us to play and show something that feels like entertainment," Molasses told The 19th. "But if we can do it in a particular way, we are able to not only entertain but are able to call our community to action."
The tour’s climax, which features performers in front of an American flag with stripes labeled "Eat the rich," "Protect the dolls," and "Free Palestine," confirms that this movement is not seeking permission. It is a direct challenge to the status quo, both in the environmental sector and the broader political landscape.
As the tour continues, the implications are clear: the next generation of climate activists is not waiting for a seat at the table. They are building their own stage, putting on their heels, and insisting that saving the planet is inseparable from the fight for queer liberation. In the face of censorship, erasure, and environmental collapse, Pattie Gonia and their collaborators offer a compelling argument: the resistance is not just necessary—it is fabulous.
