Beloved drag queen, performer, and environmentalist Pattie Gonia has long used her platforms to advocate for the planet — as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoor industry.
But now, her heels are taking her to new heights.
In a video announcement, Pattie — whose off-stage name is Wyn Wiley — shared that she will be backpacking 100 miles in full drag with a goal of raising $1 million for a variety of causes.
She is starting at a spot about 100 miles north of San Francisco and plans to spend a week backpacking along the coast until she reaches the heart of the Bay Area.
“[I’ll be] getting in drag every single day, setting up camp every single night, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and into my final show of the year; that is, if I can make it in time,” she said in the video.
Pattie will end her journey celebrating with fans and friends at a drag show on December 6 at San Francisco’s The Warfield.
The environmentalist began hosting “drag shows for the planet” a couple of years ago, touring the country to promote sustainability and social justice, all through comedic and heartfelt performance.
She has also made headlines for her support of LGBTQ+ national park rangers, even going so far as to help raise a giant trans pride flag in Yosemite earlier this year.
And now, she is excited to kick her activism up another notch.
“I will do anything to support these incredible nonprofits that do so much work to diversify the outdoors,” Pattie added in her announcement.
The eight organizations her backpacking trip will support include:
- Brave Trails
- Queer Outdoor Expedition
- The Children’s Home Project
- Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps
- Vámonos Outside
- YMCA Camp Kitaki
- The Outdoorist Oath
- Intersectional Environmentalist Film Project
Every day of her journey, Pattie will update followers on social media. As of the publication of this article, she is on Mile 26 of 100 and has raised over $236,000 on the way to her $1 million goal.
A GoFundMe where supporters can donate also shares that donors will be rewarded with a set of Pattie Gonia stickers as a thank you for their contribution.
And if that isn’t enough, Pattie offers another benefit.
“Follow along to watch my drag slowly decompose in front of your eyes,” Pattie joked in her announcement. “And to help us raise $1 million for outdoor nonprofits that absolutely deserve it.”
It seems like most supporters don’t need much convincing, however.
“Thank you for being such an icon of inspiration and hope,” one person commented on the GoFundMe fundraiser.
“You are a deeply thoughtful badass,” another added. “Thank you for who you are and how you choose to show up in the world!!”
As of this writing, no other videos have been shared by Pattie yet, but already a quarter of the way through her journey, we’re on the lookout for more updates on her TikTok and Instagram accounts.
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