Patagonia faces lawsuit from drag activist Pattie Gonia

A drag performer and climate activist known as Pattie Gonia has publicly called on the outdoor apparel company Patagonia to drop a trademark lawsuit filed against her earlier this year, framing the legal action as an existential threat to her activism and a contradiction of the company’s environmental mission.

In an open letter and video released on May 27, the activist, whose legal name is Wyn Wiley, accused Patagonia of attempting to permanently take away her name and platform. The lawsuit, filed in January in a California federal court, seeks one dollar in nominal damages and legal injunctions to block the future commercial use of the “Pattie Gonia” name. Wiley argued the financial stakes are far higher, citing potential legal costs exceeding one million dollars that could force her to cease operations.

“What they’re actually trying to do is take away my name permanently,” Wiley stated in the letter, which was addressed to Patagonia’s leadership. “This is not a brand conflict. This is a corporation trying to erase an activist.”

Patagonia has stated the lawsuit is a necessary step to protect its trademark, alleging that Wiley’s activities have created consumer confusion. The...