Premiere nature and exploration journal Nationwide Geographic not too long ago named an eco-conscious and outdoorsy drag queen named ”Pattie Gonia” one in all its 2024 ”Vacationers of the Yr.”
In a late January unfold, the long-running journal named 9 people – influential within the realm of nature, tradition, touring, the outside – its vacationers of the yr, giving awards to the drag queen named after the outdoorsy clothes firm, a disabled skier and a local weather change activist, amongst others.
The article introducing the 9 said, ”From a household looking for African ancestors to a music icon celebrating her Tennessee roots, our 9 Vacationers of the Yr encourage us to expertise the most effective of the world and, as soon as we’re out the door, assist make our journeys extra significant.”
OKLAHOMA DRAG QUEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RESIGNS AMID OUTRAGE, OFFICIAL SAYS
Drag queen ”Pattie Gonia” was not too long ago named one in all Nationwide Geographics ”Vacationers of the Yr.” (Christopher Polk / Contributor)
”They’re explorers, boundary breakers, and changemakers who know a factor or two about the place and learn how to journey proper now,” it added.
Pattie Gonia appeared to be probably the most political alternative on this 2024 listing. The redheaded drag queen who may be seen sporting an identical mustache on their Instagram web page was chosen as Nat Geo’s ”Out of doors inspiration.”
The entry for Gonia said, ”Artist, environmentalist, and drag queen Wyn Wiley — identified professionally as Pattie Gonia — helps LGBTQ+ youth uncover the wonders of the outside. As founding father of the nonprofit Outdoorist Oath, she brings the queer neighborhood collectively within the parks and wild areas of Oregon, her dwelling state.”
The outlet adopted up by saying, ”Her feel-good music movies handle environmental justice and pleasure in identification, and embody collaborators resembling cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Indigenous trans musician Quinn Christopherson.”
In offered a hyperlink to one of many artist’s nature-themed music movies, titled ”Gained’t Give Up.” The video featured the mustached drag queen singing whereas standing on glaciers, as Christopherson lent their vocals to the monitor, and the legendary cellist added his somber strings to the melody.
Pattie Gonia speaks onstage on the thirty third Annual EMA Awards Gala in L.A. (Christopher Polk / Contributor)
The YouTube caption for the video stated it was ”created as a local weather motion anthem.”
The publication additionally featured a quote from the drag queen, who stated, ”Yearly my neighborhood fundraises to ship 10 queer youth on a totally scholarshipped backpacking journey. One of many attendees advised me and the group across the hearth, ‘Being on this journey has helped me reclaim a childhood I didn’t get to have.’ That’s all the things to me.”
Gonia additionally added her prime journey tip for readers, saying, ”Rise up earlier than the solar rises. Exit, stroll about, and watch the world get up.”
The drag artist shared the information of the award to an Instagram web page this week and gave Nationwide Geographic a shoutout, saying, ”thanks @natgeo. an honor!!!!!”
Libs of TikTok account proprietor Chaya Raichik shared a picture to X of the drag queen being acknowledged. The consumer commented, ”They actually should shove this in our faces all over the place. It’s not unintentional. It’s all by design.”