Wyn Wiley, the performer behind the drag persona Pattie Gonia, is fighting back against an outdoor apparel company Patagonia, which filed a trademark lawsuit in January. Wiley alleges that Patagonia's legal action threatens "the erasure of my name, my advocacy, my community" and the livelihoods of those employed by the drag queen and climate activist.
"If Patagonia wants to celebrate Pride Month this year by taking a queer climate activist to federal court, then I'm here to fight for myself," Wiley stated. Patagonia, however, told the BBC that "the last thing we wanted was a legal fight with someone who shares our values," but emphasized that it was acting to protect its business and employees.
Patagonia's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, California, claims that Pattie Gonia competes "directly with the products and advocacy" upon which the firm built its brand. The company stated in its filing that it was prompted by Wiley's application to trademark Pattie Gonia as a brand, indicating a move from simply using the persona to potentially selling products and organizing events.
The apparel giant also accused the performer of violating an agreement regarding the use of the Pattie Gonia name, citing similarities in fonts and designs to Patagonia's logo. Patagonia asserted that it would have pursued legal action irrespective of whether the Oregon-based performer shared its values. The company is seeking a nominal $1 plus legal fees to prevent Pattie Gonia from being registered as a trademark.
Wiley, who has garnered millions of online followers, has used the Pattie Gonia persona for significant charity fundraising. Notably, this includes a 100-mile hike in drag. In an open letter to Patagonia's leadership, Wiley highlighted that Pattie Gonia has raised $3.7 million for environmental causes. Wiley expressed that the lawsuit felt like an attempt by CEO Ryan Gellert and other executives to dictate that "I must cease to exist."
