There’s no such thing as one type of climate activist. There are artists creating thought-provoking beauty from plastic beach litter, singers crafting lyrics about petrochemicals, and writers weaving fictional storylines about innovative ways to solve the climate crisis. Anyone can be a climate activist: politicians, doctors, protestors, actors, farmers, architects, and drag queens and kings.
In the realm of drag climate activists, Pattie Gonia is a star. She approaches activism through joy, which she discusses in a TED Talk. This approach has garnered her 1.9 million followers (and counting!) on Instagram and landed her a spot on TIME’s most influential creators list in 2025. Pattie is busy as co-founder of the environmental equity organization The Outdoorist Oath, filming TV, and working on her national tour showcase, “Save Her! An Environmental Drag Show.” The decidedly unique show is a mix of everything from comedy to acrobatics, all meant to inspire audience members to get involved to save and protect Earth. Pattie’s following is devoted; the first time the showcase was performed at NY Climate Week in 2023, it sold out quickly.
She may be the most well-known drag climate activist, but Pattie’s not alone. There are other inspiring drag performers bringing intentional joy—plus some seriously gorgeous upcycled and vintage outfits—to the climate activism movement. To close out Pride month, check out these drag and queer artists—some of whom have of course worked directly with Pattie herself.
1. VERA!
One part of the “triad” of touring performers in “Save Her!” Vera can be found performing in California spots like Rebel Kings of Oakland when not touring with Pattie Gonia and Sequoia (see below). They once told NPR that performing in a gown made of reused netting on a beach in San Francisco “creates in that way, like, a big environmental loving family that we have now across the nation.”
2. Sequoia
Tall like her namesake tree, this Sequoia is the third member of the “Save Her!” touring company. She hails from Salt Lake City and is known for her upcycled outfits (she specifically calls them out on her Instagram) and for her musings on gender fluidity in nature.
3. King Molasses
The three headliners of “Save Her!” are joined by a host of other performers at their shows, including DC-based drag king King Molasses. At a show last month, The 19th reports they “performed to Phil Collins’ ’80’s hit ‘In the Air Tonight,’ using the tune’s famous crescendo of intensity to parallel the ‘rising tension’ of the climate crisis.” King Molasses told the news outlet the song made sense given a collective sense of urgency people are feeling to try to save the planet, currently being savaged by data centers, an ever-warming climate, and extreme storms.
4. Fay Ludes
Fashion and food are how this Nashville-based drag queen chooses to approach environmental activism. She’s a vegan who has also been very vocal about shopping vintage and reducing waste versus buying new clothing. And Fay posts anti-fast fashion tips on Instagram about saving items from landfills by fixing up thrift shop scores. For example: “There are times to invest and times to be frugal, this dress and wig was $40, I added vintage buttons & snaps to make it a reveal. You don’t need tons of money, you need an eye for fashion!”
5. Eve Swallows
“Drag … accomplishes a paradox of embracing joy and fun and also really serious issues of liberation and social justice and climate justice,” Eve told KQED, referring to her petrol-themed performance to “Gasoline” by Britney Spears. When not performing, Eve is also the dean of student life at the Stud School of Drag. The Stud, San Francisco’s oldest LGBTQ bar, is a notorious incubator of “boundary-pushing” drag.
6. Nini Coco
You may recognize Nini, a Denver-based drag queen, from her time on Season 18 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Nini is also an environmentalist who frequently incorporates eco-friendly, upcycled costuming and nature-themed performance art into her work. This includes a piece about the monarch butterfly life cycle.