Patagonia Sues Drag Queen Activist ‘Pattie Gonia’ for Trademark Infringement

January 22, 2026

Patagonia, the outdoor apparel brand, has sued drag queen activist Wyn Wiley, known as Pattie Gonia, for trademark infringement over merchandise sales using the “Pattie Gonia” name. The lawsuit stems from Wiley’s violation of a 2022 agreement limiting such branding, followed by sales on PattieGoniaMerch.com and a trademark application by early 2025. Patagonia seeks a court injunction to halt further sales, nominal $1 damages, and attorneys’ fees, emphasizing protection of its iconic trademarks despite supporting Wiley’s environmental activism.​

Wiley’s Pattie Gonia persona draws inspiration from the Patagonia region and has gained prominence through partnerships with brands like REI and The North Face, a TED Talk, media features, and nonprofit work for queer and BIPOC outdoor education. Tensions arose after Wiley learned of Patagonia’s subsidiary (formerly Lost Arrow) selling military gear, leading to Wiley’s refusal to stop merch sales.​

As of the article’s publication, Pattie Gonia merchandise was listed as sold out, and neither party had provided immediate comments to GearJunkie. Patagonia cites prior successful suits against similar names like Fratagonia to underscore the need for an injunction against irreparable brand harm. Gear Junkie