Summary (tl;dr)

Pattie Gonia, a prominent drag queen and environmental activist, is currently trending due to a trademark infringement lawsuit filed against them by the outdoor apparel company Patagonia, primarily concerning the sale of "Pattie Gonia merch" and the use of the name.

Essential Background

Pattie Gonia is the professional persona of Wyn Wiley, an American drag queen, environmentalist, and LGBTQ+ activist who gained prominence in 2018 for producing short-form outdoors activism content on social media while in drag. Known for promoting inclusivity in outdoor and environmental communities and advocating for climate action, Pattie Gonia's name is a pun on the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia. Pattie Gonia has co-founded a non-profit, The Outdoorist Oath, and a Queer Outdoor and Environmental Job Board, and has raised millions for various non-profits.

The Full Story

Pattie Gonia is currently trending due to a trademark lawsuit initiated by Patagonia, Inc., in January 2026. Patagonia alleges that Pattie Gonia's sale of merchandise under the "Pattie Gonia" name and their application to trademark the moniker constitutes trademark infringement and has caused consumer confusion. The company claims an agreement was made in 2022 to limit the commercial use of the name, which Patagonia believes Pattie Gonia has violated by expanding into a "wide-ranging commercial enterprise" through merchandise sales. Pattie Gonia, however, disputes the terms of this agreement and publicly responded on May 27, 2026, with a video and open letter urging Patagonia to drop the lawsuit, characterizing it as a corporation attempting to "erase an activist." Patagonia has offered to drop the lawsuit if Pattie Gonia ceases selling merchandise and withdraws trademark applications, while also apologizing for any harm caused within the LGBTQ+ community. Pattie Gonia's merchandise is notable for being made from 100% upcycled garments, aligning with their climate activism and sustainable fashion focus.

Why It Matters

This legal battle highlights the complex intersection of corporate trademark protection, artistic expression, and social activism, particularly for LGBTQ+ and environmental causes. Pattie Gonia's large online community (over 1.5 million followers) has been called upon to support their stance against Patagonia, raising questions about corporate responsibility and how large brands interact with activists who share similar values but use their branding for parody or commercial purposes. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how companies defend their intellectual property against public figures, especially those whose identities and work are inherently built on cultural commentary and puns.

Geographic Location

• U.S. District Court, California, United States (where Patagonia filed the trademark lawsuit against Pattie Gonia)
• Oregon, United States (Pattie Gonia's home)
• Denver, Denver County, Colorado, United States (Pattie Gonia is a headliner of Denver PrideFest)