5 things you need to know about Patty Gonia’s sustainable drag mission
- Patty Gonia is a drag queen and environmental activist who blends high-fashion drag with hard-hitting eco-advocacy. She uses her platform to promote sustainable clothing, reduce waste in the drag community, and challenge fast fashion norms that dominate the industry.
- She founded the “Out There” initiative, a national series of outdoor drag shows that take place in national parks and public lands. These events aim to connect LGBTQ+ communities with nature while teaching climate action through performance art.
- In 2023, Patty Gonia made headlines by protesting the fashion industry’s plastic pollution at New York Fashion Week. She wore a dress made entirely from recycled plastic bottles and held a sign reading “Drag is not a crime, plastic is,” sparking global conversations on sustainability.
- Her digital presence is massive, with viral TikTok videos that mix lip-sync performances with calls to action on environmental justice. She often educates followers on topics like carbon footprints, thrift flipping, and the intersectionality of climate and queer rights.
- Patty Gonia has been recognized by major outlets like National Geographic and The New York Times, and she’s a key voice in the growing “queer climate movement.” She’s proof that drag can be more than entertainment—it can be a tool for real-world change.