Outdoor retailer Patagonia has filed a federal
trademark infringement lawsuit against a drag performer.
“The brand first filed the trademark lawsuit in January against Wyn Wiley, who performs under the stage name
Pattie Gonia,” according to Time. “Patagonia is suing for $1, along
with legal fees, which the performer says could cost upwards of $1 million dollars.”
The popular drag queen, who has over two million online followers across TikTok and
Instagram, is also a climate activist.
“Pattie Gonia, speaking publicly on social media last week for the first
time since the lawsuit was filed, said the company was trying to take away their name permanently,” according to The New York Times. “Mr. Wiley also co-founded the Oath, an organization that promotes climate solutions and inclusion.”
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The lawsuit “has drawn the attention and ire of
the internet,” according to USA Today.
“We wish this lawsuit had not been necessary, and we want to acknowledge any hurt it has caused, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. We don’t want to argue trademark law on social
media. Importantly, we continue to want to resolve this,” Patagonia said
in a social media post on June 1.
Pattie Gonia puts action behind her words.
“Pattie Gonia is an
acclaimed drag queen who has gained over a million followers for her outdoor adventures that promote environmentalism and queer inclusivity in the hobby,” according to USA
Today. “Notably, Pattie Gonia backpacked 100 miles down the California coast in drag, raising funds for outdoor nonprofits and bringing LGBTQ representation into outdoor spaces — a
narrative that deeply resonated with West Coast audiences.”
In her social media response, Pattie Gonia shared a
letter sent to Patagonia’s board of directors asking them to drop the legal action, according to The Guardian.
“This
is a betrayal of Patagonia’s core mission. Because if they’re ‘in business to save the home planet’, why are they suing a climate activist?” Pattie Gonia said in the
video. “Over the last four 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. The
erasure of my name, my advocacy, my community, and everyone I employ. Or fight for myself and fight for us.”
