Pattie Gonia

Born Wyn Wiley in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1992, Pattie Gonia has become a prominent figure in environmental and LGBTQ+ activism. Wiley graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2014 with a degree in advertising and public relations, subsequently working as a creative director and professional photographer. In early 2018, Wiley first experimented with drag as “Ginger Snap” before creating the character Pattie Gonia in October 2018. The name Pattie Gonia is a pun on Patagonia, reflecting her focus on outdoor issues. Her initial video as Pattie Gonia, posted on October 3, 2018, garnered over 100 million views, establishing her presence in the digital sphere.

Pattie Gonia’s activism centers on making the outdoors more welcoming for the queer community and raising awareness about environmental issues. In 2018, she went viral for hiking in six-inch heels, becoming known as the world’s first “backpacking queen.” She regularly performs in elaborate costumes, some created from upcycled camping tents, to highlight climate change awareness. Her efforts extend beyond online content, including organizing in-person hikes and events for LGBTQ+ and environmental causes. She also developed a job board, Queer Outdoors, to connect queer individuals with job opportunities and companies in the outdoors sector. In January 2022, Wiley co-founded “The Outdoorist Oath,” a nonprofit dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and environmental causes within the outdoor community.

Pattie Gonia’s career has seen significant progression and recognition. In 2020, she was named to the Out100 list and nominated for a Shorty Award in the LGBTQ+ category. TIME magazine included her in their 2023 list of Next Generation Leaders, and in 2024, National Geographic recognized her as a Traveler of the Year. Her media presence includes interviews with REI and a REI documentary titled “Dear Mother Nature” in 2019. In 2023, she released a music video “Won’t Give Up” with Yo-Yo Ma and Quinn Christopherson, filmed in Kenai Fjords National Park to highlight the retreating Exit Glacier. In 2024, she hosted her “Anti-Plastic Fantastic’” environmental drag show and delivered a historic TED Talk in full drag, emphasizing the role of joy in climate action and queer rights.