Environmental drag icon Pattie Gonia is taking advocacy to new heights, literally. The queer activist, known for blending dazzling drag with bold climate messaging, has launched an ambitious campaign to hike 100 miles in drag over the course of one week to raise funds for eight BIPOC- and queer-led nonprofits focused on outdoor access, youth empowerment and environmental justice.
The fundraising effort, hosted through GoFundMe, has already surpassed $200,000 and aims to reach $1 million by Saturday, Dec. 6. Supporters are encouraged to donate any amount – “$5, $25, $100, anything helps,” the campaign states – and in return, donors receive a set of custom Pattie Gonia stickers as a thank-you.
In a statement on the fundraising page, Pattie emphasized that the goal is collective impact. The challenge invites the public to “see how much we can raise together,” underscoring the importance of community momentum when addressing inequity in environmental and outdoor spaces.
How the Fundraiser Works
Donors receive two emails after contributing:
— A tax-deductible receipt sent immediately, ensuring each contribution is protected and properly documented.
— A second message titled “A thank you note from Pattie,” which includes a form to collect a mailing address so stickers can be sent to supporters.
GoFundMe.org will divide and distribute all funds among eight organizations selected for their commitment to equity, access and representation in outdoor culture.
The Benefiting Nonprofits
The fundraiser supports a diverse lineup of organizations serving LGBTQ+, BIPOC, low-income and youth communities:
Eastern Sierra Conservation Corp – Provides trailwork and wilderness programming for young adults from BIPOC, queer and low-income backgrounds.
The Children’s Home Project – Supports children in Honduras, one of the regions hardest hit by climate change, including with outdoor programming.
Brave Trails – An LGBTQ+ youth leadership summer camp with locations in California, the Northeast and Atlanta.
Queer Outdoor Expedition Scholarships – A scholarship initiative created by Pattie Gonia in partnership with Eastern Sierra Conservation Corp and brand supporters, offering fully funded backcountry experiences for queer people from marginalized socioeconomic backgrounds.
Outdoorist Oath – Provides education and workshops centered on advocacy, inclusion and environmental stewardship.
Intersectional Environmental Film & Music Project – Funds a climate-focused film and musical work featuring Indigenous voices, queer artists and Pattie Gonia, with a commitment to hiring BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creatives.
Camp Kitaki – A Midwestern summer camp serving low-income, queer and BIPOC youth.
Vamonos Outside – Connects Latinx families and youth in Central Oregon with outdoor opportunities and environmental engagement.
A Movement Rooted in Representation
Pattie Gonia, known for viral outdoor performances in full drag, from mountaintop voguing to snow-covered runway walks, has become a leading voice for queer inclusion in nature. Their ongoing advocacy calls for a reimagining of who belongs in environmental spaces, and this fundraiser continues that mission by directing resources toward the communities most often left out of existing outdoor infrastructure.
The fundraiser remains open through Dec. 6. Donations can be made via GoFundMe, and supporters can follow Pattie’s journey on social media as the drag superstar treks, heels, wigs and all, toward a more inclusive outdoor world.
