Drag Queen Treks 100 Miles To Raise $1 Million In Quest For More ‘Equitable’ Environment
When eco-activist Pattie Gonia had the idea for the trek, friends laughed – on Friday, Gonia strutted across the Golden Gate Bridge to the finish.
Featured image: Pattie Gonia, via pattiegonia.net
Seven years ago, everyone called Pattie Gonia “crazy” for scheming to hike 100 miles in full drag to raise money to support equity in “the outdoors.” On Friday, after a week of roughing it – trekking by day, camping by night – the environmentalist pranced across the Golden Gate Bridge, completing the 100-miler from Point Reyes National Seashore to San Francisco. Long eyelashes catching the wind, wig none the worse for the wear, and one blue toe-nail polished foot after the other.
To top it off, Gonia arrived in time to kick up her 6-inch-heeled boots at Saturday’s celebratory environmental SAVE HER! drag show at The Warfield, joined by artists Vera! and Seqouia. The show was billed as a climate change and solutions extravaganza, “featuring drag kings, queens, and things that will leave you saying ‘it’s getting hot in here.’”
“I hope I can be a little bit of proof to you that combining who you are and what you’re good at to fight for the change you want to see in the world works,” Gonia wrote on IG following the ultra hike. “And if people laugh in your face or doubt your crazy idea, you’re likely on the right path.”
This was not Pattie Gonia’s first effort to use performance art to raise awareness around conservation issues. Self-describing as 6’2 & 200 lbs of ginger, this backpacker has been using their platform (and platform shoes) for years. According to The Guardian, Gonia has thrown multiple Pride events in Yosemite for park employees. They also collaborated with a handful of nature lovers this past May, joining climbers and non-binary park ranger, Shannon ‘SJ’ Joslin, who was fired after hanging a 66-foot trans pride flag from El Capitan’s vertical rock formation in Yosemite. In a political climate in which so many marginalized people are under attack, it was a community gesture to say: “We’re all safe in national parks.”
As for the current cause, by last count, Gonia scored $1,167,891 in funding, to be distributed among eight non-profits. Vámonos Outside (engages Latinx community into the outdoors in Central Oregon), The Children’s Home Project (Honduran children), and YMCA Camp Kitaki are among the recipients.
Comedian Dana Goldberg responds to the news on Instagram
Kindred spirits, wilderness lovers and camp counselors cheered on the former Eagle Scout throughout the journey.
“The ability to actually make moves like this in the current societal/political/cultural climate, is Earth shaking,” a Gonia supporter shared on IG. “I hope those ripples are felt across all of our communities, and we continue to build this level of movement everywhere. Because the current systems will never ever support us, but we must support each other in the good we strive for. So proud to be your friend ❤️ so grateful you are who you are and that you use your platform in the best ways!!”
