Pattie Gonia raises $1M for charities in hiking challenge
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Drag artist and climate activist Pattie Gonia completed a 100 mile hiking challenge by crossing San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in an effort to raise money for nonprofits making the outdoors inclusive for all.
In all, Pattie raised more than $1,000,000 for her cause with almost 35,000 donations being made across the world. The sum will be divided amongst eight different non-profit organizations.
In the caption to a post on Instagram, Pattie says individual donations had an average donation size of $30.
“...that is insane. don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t make a difference. each of our 8 outdoor non profits are receiving $145,986 because of you. that is game changing money to them especially during a time when most every outdoor brand and our government is pulling funding.”
Clad in full drag, Pattie hiked along the California coastline until she reached San Fran’s landmark, documenting each day of the journey for followers on Instagram. Even demonstrating her camp routine and getting in and out of drag each day to continue on.
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t make a difference,” she said upon reaching the finish line.
“When I started being Pattie, everyone told me I was crazy. When I told people I wanted to do this fundraiser, people laughed in my face.”
While in San Francisco, Pattie also performed her last show of the year. Fans know she is no stranger to advocacy.
Earlier this year, she and a group of queer climbers drew international attention by laying a trans pride flag on Yosemite‘s iconic El Capitan. More recently, she challenged politician Pete Hegseth for his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, while outperforming the politician by completing more pull-ups.
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