Drag queen dresses as tree in US senate – and gets endorsed by AOC herself
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Drag star and political activist Pattie Gonia has made headlines once again, this time for her bold statement on deforestation in the US. The larger-than-life drag artist was seen strutting her stuff in the senate basement, donning a tree-inspired outfit that turned heads and sparked conversation during a legislative session on Tuesday.
The outfit, complete with intricate details mimicking the foliage of a tree, caught the attention of Bloomberg correspondent Steven Dennis, who seemed puzzled by the unconventional attire. However, Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive views and advocacy for social justice, quickly set the record straight.
“That’s not just someone, that’s a queen,” AOC exclaimed. “I know Pattie Gonia when I see her and y’all just aren’t put on to their genius yet. Wonderful artist and really impressive work in climate, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and racial justice.”
Pattie Gonia herself confirmed her presence at the senate, revealing that she was there to meet with lawmakers and discuss an important amendment aimed at combatting deforestation in the country. The drag queen, known for her fierce activism and environmental advocacy, was on a mission to ensure that the voices of the forests were heard loud and clear.
“Right now, 370,000 acres of mature and old-growth forests are on the chopping block,” she expressed. “I was on the hill, dressed as an old-growth tree, meeting with lawmakers to encourage them to do the right thing by our forests and recommend a Forest Plan amendment that protects them from destruction.”
The proposed amendment, put forth by the US Department of Agriculture, seeks to protect the nation’s old and mature forests by amending 128 forest-land management plans to “conserve and steward old-growth forest conditions on national forests and grasslands nationwide.” This move could be a game-changer in preserving vital ecosystems and combating climate change.
Pattie first unveiled her tree-inspired outfit on Instagram, describing it as both “giving tree” and “giving f***d up” to reflect the dire situation facing forests in the US. She emphasized the importance of shifting the focus from viewing forests as mere commodities to recognizing them as crucial climate solutions that provide essential services such as carbon sequestration and habitat preservation.
“In the US, the Forest Service was created to see our forests as a crop for harvest,” she explained. “I want to encourage the Forest Service to change into protecting our forests which are one of the best climate solutions. They sequester carbon from our atmosphere, they protect our watersheds, and they are home to thousands of species. All we have to do is to leave our forests alone.”
Despite the serious nature of her mission, Pattie injected some much-needed levity into the proceedings by donning her elaborate tree outfit, which brought smiles to many faces in the corridors of power. However, she noted that not everyone was amused by her sartorial statement.
“Plus, someone had to serve a look in those hallways. Everyone else’s outfits were boring and people look so sad. The tree put a smile on people’s faces. Well, everyone but Republicans,” she quipped.
The significance of preserving old-growth forests as a climate solution was underscored by Brenda Mallory, the White House’s chairperson of environmental quality, who highlighted the vital role that forests play in absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. She emphasized President Biden’s commitment to conserving and restoring old-growth forests as part of his administration’s environmental agenda.
Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack echoed Mallory’s sentiments, praising forests as not only a critical component of the ecosystem but also a special cultural resource that must be protected for future generations. The proposed amendment represents a step in the right direction towards safeguarding these invaluable natural resources for the benefit of all.
Pattie Gonia’s bold sartorial statement in the senate serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address deforestation and protect our planet’s precious forests. As an outspoken advocate for environmental causes and LGBTQ+ rights, Pattie continues to use her platform to shine a spotlight on pressing issues and inspire positive change in society.
In a world where fashion meets activism, Pattie Gonia stands out as a beacon of hope and resilience, urging us all to see the forest for the trees and take action to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our natural world.
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