National Geographic Names a Climate Activist Who Works as a 'Drag Queen'Patti Gonia, “Traveler of the Year.”
The drag queen, who also goes by the name “Wyn Wylie,” “helps LGBTQ+ youth discover the wonders of the outdoors,” the magazine wrote. As founder of the nonprofit Outdoorist Oath, she brings the LGBT community together in the parks and wilderness spaces of Oregon, her home state.
NEW: National Geographic Wake Up names drag queen and climate activist Patti Gonia as its Traveler of the Year for 2024. pic.twitter.com/Uwj3n14pfm
– I am Meme, therefore I exist (@ImMeme0) February 14, 2024
“Her feel-good music videos address environmental justice and pride in identity, and feature collaborators like cellist Yo-Yo Ma and trans Indigenous musician Quinn Kristofferson,” National Geographic continued.
“Every year my community fundraises to send 10 gay youth on a backpacking trip supported by a full scholarship,” Willie told the magazine. “One of the attendees and the group around the fire said to me, ‘Being on this trip helped me reclaim the childhood I couldn’t have.’ That’s it for me.”
Wylie also did a “Summer of Pride” ad campaign for the North Face.
“National Parks hosted Patti Junia for Pride Month in June to give tours,” The Post Millenial reported. In a video, the drag queen of the time posted, “We danced, marched, partied, and got wet.”
Pride event in Yosemite National Park: 'Mother Nature is a lesbian'. pic.twitter.com/kdwdCERSQX
– Post-Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 18, 2023
“I am so proud of all of my community organizers in the park system who provide a safe space for queer people year-round,” he says in the video.
