National Geographic names drag queen 'Pattie Gonia' a 'Traveler of the Year'

National Geographic named a drag queen one of its nine "Travelers of the Year," and it faced some online backlash over the decision.

Wyn Wylie performs under the name "Pattie Gonia" and claims to be an “intersectional environmentalist, drag queen, and advocate for inclusivity in the outdoors."

The magazine said that Wylie "helps LGBTQ+ youth discover the wonders of the outdoors" through the nonprofit Outdoorist Oath, which Wylie co-founded.

The drag queen was quoted in praise of the work done by the organization to spread the LGBTQ+ agenda.

"Every year my community fundraises to send 10 queer youth on a fully scholarshipped backpacking trip," Wylie said. "One of the attendees told me and the group around the fire, ‘Being on this trip has helped me reclaim a childhood I didn’t get to have.’ That’s everything to me."

The response

The magazine was criticized by many on social media over the decision.

"They really have to shove this in our faces everywhere. It’s not accidental. It’s all by design," said Chaya Raichik, the woman behind the popular Libs of TikTok account.

"This post-Christian culture hates women. They love mocking women, they love exploiting women, they love abusing women," read another response.

"Well looks like I can cancel that National Geographic subscription now…All this corporate woke BS is saving me $100’s," read another reply.

Sarah Palin responded simply, "no words."

"Hey, this has to be a farce. @NatGeo, please tell me this is a lying meme. If not, what exactly, are you trying to prove? Stop with the indoctrination," said another detractor.

The activist has also been included in marketing campaigns by the North Face, an outdoor clothing store, and the National Audubon Society, a conservationist group.

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