Drag star raises over $1.1 million backpacking 100-mile trek in full drag

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Pattie Gonia, a drag artist who champions LGBTQ+ rights and environmental causes, recently hiked 100 miles along the California coast. The trip successfully raised over $1.1 million for organizations working to protect the environment.

Pattie Gonia, whose real name is Wynn Wiley, shared their adventure on TikTok and Instagram. The project became very popular online, resulting in tens of thousands of people donating to the cause.

The fundraiser, which began on December 1st, originally aimed to raise $1,000,000 for eight groups dedicated to outdoor activities. Pattie Gonia recently shared in a video that they exceeded this goal, thanks to around 37,000 people who donated an average of $30 each.

The project served a dual purpose: it was a fundraising effort for charity and a way to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the outdoors. Pattie Gonia, known for filming hikes, climate activism, and advocacy events while in drag, launched the challenge by announcing they would hike 100 miles to benefit nonprofits focused on conservation, accessibility, and community support.

100 miles, eight nonprofits, $1.16 million raised

During her five-day hike, Pattie Gonia shared updates on social media about the challenging trail conditions and the difficulties of hiking in drag with a full backpack. She documented the entire journey, and her final video shows her completing the hike and celebrating that she raised over $160,000 – exceeding her original fundraising goal.

After finishing the hike, Pattie Gonia shared on TikTok that people thought her goal was impossible, but she proved them wrong. The campaign quickly gained popularity, spreading across social media and reaching a much wider audience than she’d anticipated.

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2025-12-06 18:19