Wyn Wiley, who performs under the drag persona Pattie Gonia, has publicly urged outdoor apparel company Patagonia to drop its legal action against the performer.
Patagonia filed the lawsuit in January in Los Angeles, California, alleging the drag queen is causing “irreparable” damage to its brand.
Wiley said the company was threatening “the erasure of my name, my advocacy, my community” and the livelihoods of people employed by the drag queen and climate activist.
“If Patagonia wants to celebrate Pride Month this year by taking a queer climate activist to federal court, then I’m here to fight for myself,” Wiley said.
Patagonia told the BBC “the last thing we wanted was a legal fight with someone who shares our values”, but said it was acting to protect its Business and employees.
Wiley has amassed millions of online followers performing as Pattie Gonia, including through charity fundraisers such as a 100-mile hike in drag.
In an open letter to Patagonia’s leadership, Wiley said Pattie Gonia had raised $3.7m for environmental causes altogether.
The performer said the lawsuit amounted to CEO Ryan Gellert and other executives deciding that “I must cease to exist.”
Patagonia’s legal filing alleges Pattie Gonia competes “directly with the products and advocacy” upon which the firm built its brand.
The company said it was responding to Wiley’s application to trademark Pattie Gonia as a brand, moving from simply using the persona to potentially selling products and organising events.
Patagonia also accused the Oregon-based performer of breaking an agreement about how to use the Pattie Gonia name, including the use of fonts and designs bearing similarities to its logo.
The company stated it would have filed the lawsuit regardless of whether the performer shared its values.
Patagonia is seeking a nominal $1 plus legal fees, with the aim of preventing Pattie Gonia from being registered as a trademark.
The company, named after a remote region of South America spanning Argentina and Chile, was founded in 1973.