Does Patagonia have to sue Pattie Gonia? 🤔

Ah, Pride Month. A lovely time when people fly rainbow flags online and let everyone know we are here, we are queer, and we are not going anywhere.

But one story is seemingly everywhere right now. Patagonia (outdoor equipment company) is suing Pattie Gonia (drag queen climate activist) for trademark infringement.

Suing a queer drag performer during Pride Month, the comments complain bitterly.

The lawsuit was prompted by Wyn Wiley, Pattie Gonia's real name, filing a trademark application seeking exclusive rights to "Pattie Gonia" for apparel, marketing, and events. In particular, apparel is a direct overlap with Patagonia's products.

Pattie Gonia has raised 3.7 million dollars to fight climate change. Pattie is so good at what they do that a large corporation feels threatened. I would love to see Pattie continue their work as an activist and not lose the brand they've built. But it seems like this legal battle is currently overshadowing any activism the drag artist (or the company) has been involved in.

Pattie Gonia speaks about the lawsuit:

Pattie Gonia on Instagram: “today i’m speaking publicly for the first time about the lawsuit patagonia inc, filed against me, a climate activist, in federal court. this is not a joke. this is real. patagonia is taking me to court because they claim i’m causing “irreparable” harm to their brand by doing, and wait for it, “motivational speaking services in support of environmental sustainability” and “organizing, arranging, and conducting trail and hiking events.” patagonia Inc. claims “they’re in business to save the home planet” if this is what saving the home planet looks like to them, then one of us has profoundly misunderstood the assignment, and it’s not me. over the last 4 months since the lawsuit was filed, i have stayed silent and worked every channel i had to resolve this without going to court. but in the end, i had two choices: 1. the erasure of my name, my advocacy, my community, and everyone i employ or 2. fight for myself and fight for us. so i’m fighting, and i’m inviting you to join me in a simple call to action: patagonia, drop the lawsuit.”

461K likes, 22K comments - pattiegonia on May 27, 2026: “today i’m speaking publicly for the first time about the lawsuit patagonia inc, filed against me, a climate activist, in federal court. this is not a joke. this is real. patagonia is taking me to court because they claim i’m causing “irreparable” harm to their brand by doing, and wait for it, “motivational speaking services in support of environmental sustainability” and “organizing, arranging, and conducting trail and hiking events.” patagonia Inc. claims “they’re in business to save the home planet” if this is what saving the home planet looks like to them, then one of us has profoundly misunderstood the assignment, and it’s not me. over the last 4 months since the lawsuit was filed, i have stayed silent and worked every channel i had to resolve this without going to court. but in the end, i had two choices: 1. the erasure of my name, my advocacy, my community, and everyone i employ or 2. fight for myself and fight for us. so i’m fighting, and i’m inviting you to join me in a simple call to action: patagonia, drop the lawsuit.”.

Instagram

Queer trademarks

Trademark law has played a part in US queer history for a while. In 1976, around 20 to 25 women on motorcycles rode at the front of the San Francisco Pride Parade.