Post Secret (Part 44)/ Father's Day (Part 6)

Jun. 15, 2025: 

25 Dad Questions

I asked PostSecret followers on facebook for once-in-a-lifetime questions to ask my dad for an unforgettable interview. Over 700 replies with more than 1,000 questions came back.

This was the original post:

I was thrilled with all the thoughtful questions shared with me, from the delightful to the profound. I read them all and picked 25 to ask my father. At a family dinner the night before our day of tandem paragliding, as an experiment, I peppered three into our conversation. . . it didn’t go well.

Like many families, ours was far from perfect, with divorce and estrangement being a part of it. So when other family members began responding to some of my father’s answers, long-buried feelings and some judgement turned the interview sour. Because of that learning experience, I changed some of my questions and gained three insights for when I would try again the next day.

• Avoid questions about regrets or mistakes. Instead, start with questions that include the word “favorite”, like, “What’s your favorite decade and why”?
• Try to keep the questions open-ended and let responses spark other questions naturally. Aim for a flowing conversation rather than an interview.
• Really listen. . . No, really listen.

On the two hour drive to the Gliderport the next day, it was just my father and me in the car. I told him how much it meant to me to go through these questions and get to know him better. He was game so I cautiously started. He passed on some of the questions, but then really began to share a lot with me, including a secret. He even started asking me some of the same questions! The spirit in the car was supportive and generous, with some heartfelt laughs as we used questions as prompts for our once-in-a-lifetime conversation.

Even though we were unable to do any gliding because of wind conditions, I’ll never forget that day and the new appreciation I discovered for my father. I can’t reveal the secret he told me but another part of our conversation shocked me. I asked this gentle and caring man; “What is the most common misconception people have about you?” He said. “When I was ten-years-old, my mom spanked me for the last time. I don’t think you know how stubborn I was then but you do know how stern your Grandmother could be. I remember through my tears and pain looking at my mother and saying, with spite, ‘I like getting spanked’!”

Here are the 25 questions that guided our conversation.

~~~

Do you have a favorite snack, song, television show, recipe, comedy?

Can you tell me about your best friend when you were a kid and one of your adventures?

Can you describe a favorite memory about a family member?

What is the oldest story you know about our ancestors?

Is there something about me that you have always wanted to know but have never asked?

If this was to be our very last conversation, is there anything you would want to say to me?

What is your first memory?

Did you ever get into trouble as a kid? What happened?

If there was a biography of you, how would you want to be described?

What choice are you thankful that you did not make?

What is the best advice you remember from your father?

Is there anything you wish you had said to someone but didn’t have the chance?

Can you teach me something?

What is something you would like me to ask you?”

What do you wish you would have spent less time worrying about?

What is something you deliberately did not tell me as a child and why?

What is the best part of your day? What makes you feel most alive?

What is the last thing you changed your mind about?

What things helped you get through a difficult time in your life?

Over the course of your life what trip or place was most special? Why?

What would you like to re-experience again because you did not appreciate it enough the first time?

Can you tell me something about yourself that I don’t know that you think would surprise, shock or delight me?

What habits served you the most through life?

What is the best mistake you have made, and why?

What do you hope my siblings and I have learned from you?

How are you doing right now? Is there anything on your mind right now that you’d like to talk about?

~~~

(When my father visits again, I’ll be sure to have his favorite comedy and snack ready.)

~~~

Sun. Jun. 21, 2026:

—email—

Hi Frank,

I’ve been following PostSecret now for over a decade and this is my first e-mail to you.

I’m writing in response to one of the Father’s Day secrets. The one that says the dad wasn’t a good man to his son when he was young, but that he’s trying to do better now and it’s hard. 

I wanted to let him know that he shouldn’t stop trying to find ways to connect.  

Please be patient 

and please don’t stop trying. 

The nature of any relationship is built on much more complex circumstances than can be realized without 

time, 

effort, 

understanding, 

and forgiveness. 

Your son needs time to work through his 

experiences 

and feelings too, 

and hopefully he’ll get there (and maybe he won’t). 

Either way, don’t stop showing up in all the little and big ways.

Oddly, I discovered PostSecret when my dad and I were asked to do voice-overs for one of the promo videos for the “A Lifetime of Secrets” book release. 

The secret he read was about fatherhood. 

Mine was about fate. 

Years later, when I went to visit the PostSecret exhibit at the National Postal Museum, 

the secrets we read were displayed right next to each other. 

I started crying right in the middle of the museum. 

I’ve attached them to this e-mail. 

Truly, it’s all in the little things. 

If you can’t read them the first ones says, 

“If you’re waiting for a sign. . . this is it. 

Do it. 

It will be amazing. 

The other postcard read, 

“I LOVE HER ANYWAYS” 

and on the other side was a black and white sonogram with the words, 

“I know she’s not mine.”

This was on the Post Secret's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1578481446974690&set=a.786776036145239

My week:

Mon. Jun. 22, 2026:

Camille L, Montreal-Nord, Québec, would like to know:

Do you work from home?

No

74.66% (2696)

Yes

25.34% (915)

My opinion: No.

Thurs. Jun. 25, 2026:

Sharon B, Ottawa, Ontario, would like to know:

Do you wear shoes inside your home?

No

76.24% (2811)

Yes

23.76% (876)

My opinion: No. I wear socks.  I was talking about this yesterday and people did say they wear slippers.

"Budget to include new funding for security at Pride, gender-based violence supports"/ "Patagonia is suing Pattie Gonia, a drag queen performer with an environmental message"

June is Gay Pride month and that's why I'm posting these articles about LGBTQ.  

Oct. 29, 2025 "Budget to include new funding for security at Pride, gender-based violence supports": Today I found this article by Rachel Aiello on BNN Bloomberg:

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first ever federal budget will allocate millions in new long-term funding for security at 

Pride events, 

and gender-based violence support.

Speaking at the National Art Gallery, 

Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne

and Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez 

are teasing out more new spending that will be in the Nov. 4 budget.

In an effort to “ensure sustained progress towards equality and safety,” the ministers said that next Tuesday’s budget will include 

$54.6 million over the next five years to support the LGBTQ2S+ community in Canada.

An additional $10.9 million is being set aside for the years following. 

As part of this funding, 

$7.5 million over the next five years 

and $1.5 million ongoing is being allocated for security at Pride events.

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau had previously allocated funding for protection at Pride parades in response to calls from LGBTQ2S+ advocates.

Now, the Liberals are committing to 

predictable, 

year-over-year funding, 

citing the rising costs of security and insurance 

for Pride festivals 

due to rising hate. 

The federal government is also earmarking 

$223.4 million over five years 

and $44.7 million ongoing

“to strengthen federal action in response to gender-based violence.”

This money is intended to fund organizations that 

support survivors, 

including in Indigenous 

and underserved populations.

And the largest tranche of new funding being previewed Thursday is 

$382.5 million over five years 

and $76.5 million ongoing to 

“revitalize 

and stabilize 

efforts 

to advance women’s equality in Canada.”

This money will be going towards 

economic security

and leadership participation efforts, 

according to the government.

“Building the strongest economy in G7 requires the 

full and equal participation of women and gender diverse Canadians,” 

reads the press release accompanying the announcement.

This is a breaking news story, check back for updates…

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/politics/2025/10/29/budget-to-include-new-funding-for-security-at-pride-gender-based-violence-supports/

Jun. 12, 2026 "Patagonia is suing Pattie Gonia, a drag queen performer with an environmental message": Today I found this article by Brittany Peterson on BNN Bloomberg:

DENVER — Days before the beginning of Pride Month in June, a glamorous drag queen with long, wavy red hair, a matching mustache and carabiner earrings stared into a camera and levied a strong accusation against a famous sustainable outdoors apparel brand: 

“This is a corporation trying to erase an activist.”

The drag queen, Pattie Gonia, said in the video 

she was breaking her silence on a lawsuit filed against her by Patagonia, 

a brand blazed across the chests of adventure athletes and midtown Manhattan investment bankers alike. 

The apparel company is suing her for $1 for alleged trademark infringement,

although experts say legal fees could easily surpass $1 million.

A maelstrom of social media posts quickly followed, 

as drag has a long history of parodying famous names. 

Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to 

go after a beloved climate activist. 

Others chided Pattie Gonia for leveling the accusation against Patagonia, 

a company considered by many as a leader in sustainability, 

without painting a full picture of the case.

Why Patagonia is suing Pattie Gonia

Pattie Gonia, whose given name is Wyn Wiley, is a drag queen based in Bend, Oregon. She is known for her climate activism 

and has a combined following of nearly 3 million people on TikTok and Instagram. 

She first went viral in 2018 after posting a clip wearing high heels while camping.

She makes short, educational videos about climate change, 

created and tours with the “Save Her! Environmental Drag Show,” 

and is known for mobilizing climate activists 

and raising money for climate organizations.

Patagonia says that Pattie Gonia infringed on its trademark by selling clothing and products under the “Pattie Gonia” name, 

which they say confuses consumers.

“There doesn’t have to be actual consumer confusion to win a trademark infringement suit.

 If consumers are likely to be confused, that is sufficient,” 

said Tim Holbrook, an intellectual property professor at the University of Denver.

The company filed the complaint, which included screenshots of consumer confusion, on Jan. 21. 

Pattie Gonia announced, 

and criticized, 

the lawsuit on May 27. 

This initially sparked confusion, 

with many believing Patagonia had filed the complaint around Pride Month.

Pattie Gonia declined to say whether the timing of her announcement was intentional.

In September 2025, she filed a trademark application for the “Pattie Gonia” name to, among other things, sell apparel. 

Several months later, Patagonia sued.

According to the complaint, the clothing company reached out in 2022 after hearing about a fundraising collaboration between the performer and Hydroflask, an outdoors accessory brand. 

On a phone call, it asked the performer not to sell products with the 

Patagonia logo, 

font 

or the name “Pattie Gonia,” 

and outlined the points over email.

The company then followed up over email three years later when Pattie Gonia began selling clothing with her name on it. 

After a brief exchange, the clothing brand asked the performer to meet and discuss

“different understandings of where we left things related to Patagonia’s trademarks when this last came up.”

The performer called the complaint one-sided and said it 

“misrepresented not only the facts 

but also my personal integrity.”

It’s common for companies to sue to stop trademark filings

McDonald’s sued a dental practice with the name “McDental.” 

Starbucks sued “Sambucks,” an Oregon-based coffee house. 

Even Patagonia has fought off brand copycats 

“Catagonia,” “Fratagonia” and others, according to the complaint.

It’s a high bar to clear to trademark something similar to an existing brand, 

said Carmel Imani, a trademark lawyer who represents small creators and brands.

“I get rejections for trademarks for my clients that are way less similar than these brand names,” 

she said about Pattie Gonia and Patagonia.

In trademark law, 

a complaint is about far more than a singular dispute 

— it’s about the big picture of whether 

a brand will be protected from future disputes by others, 

said Lara Pearson, trademark attorney with Brand Geek.

By allowing similar brands 

with similar goods and services, 

“Are we setting a precedent that we’re not going to be able to walk back from later?” 

she said.

The backlash has been swift

After Pattie Gonia alleged erasure, 

supporters and allies quickly spoke up, 

asking how such a reputable company could sue a queer climate activist, 

some going as far as donating Patagonia clothing.

The day after Pattie Gonia’s announcement, supporter Jim Gregory posted a video to TikTok outside of a Goodwill donation center where he said he was dropping off his Patagonia hat.

“I think that you just completely wrecked your company, 

at least from my demographic, the LGBTQ demographic,” 

Gregory said to the camera.

Cleo Schroer, a Brooklyn-based researcher on queer politics and culture who has also been posting videos about the case, said she initially felt like Patagonia was in the wrong, but that something didn’t sit right. Then she read the complaint.

“Saying that Patagonia was trying to silence a drag queen or a queer activist 

... it just felt inaccurate,” 

she said.

Patagonia took its name from the region

Patagonia is a diverse region in southern Chile and Argentina, 

with glaciers, 

mountains 

and fjords to the west, 

stretching into steppe and desert toward the east. 

It has long been occupied by Indigenous peoples, including the Mapuche, Tehuelche and others.

Founder Yvon Chouinard decided the name would be perfect for an 

apparel brand 

targeting a range of outdoors enthusiasts. 

After more than a decade of selling clothes as “Patagonia,” the company filed for and was granted the trademark.

“You can certainly protect a name even if it’s the name of a geographic region or location,” said trademark attorney Josh Gerben. 

“There’s Chevy Tahoe, 

GMC Denali, 

Arizona Tea Company 

and many more,” 

he explained.

It’s nuanced, but how well known the region is at the time of the trademark is a factor the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office would weigh, 

he said.

Since 1973, the apparel brand has built a profitable business off of Patagonia, now a sought-after destination for outdoors enthusiasts.

Some progress has been made toward resolving the dispute

If Pattie Gonia’s application is eventually approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 

Patagonia would be able to file an opposition, 

which could take years to resolve, 

Gerben said. 

But it’s a moot point.

“The lawsuit will control the situation,” he said. 

“If Patagonia wins the lawsuit, 

the Federal Court can tell the USPTO to deny the application.”

Still, both sides have made small steps toward the middle, Imani observed. 

Pattie Gonia said she would drop the trademark application 

if Patagonia drops the suit. 

The clothing brand issued a statement that recognized 

“any hurt (the lawsuit) has caused, 

especially in the LBGTQ+ community,” 

but said the suit could only be dropped if 

Pattie Gonia stops using their logo, font and her name in “selling and promoting apparel and other products.”

Pattie Gonia agreed to the first two but not the third. 

At some point, her website went from 

www.pattiegoniamerch.com 

to www.pattiemerch.com, 

a change the performer did not answer questions about.

“We are very open 

and want to find a resolution,” 

said Corley Kenna, chief impact and communications officer for Patagonia, but did not offer details.

The best resolution, 

said Gerben, 

would be to avoid court 

and reach an agreement.

“It’s always more ideal because it provides certainty to both parties. 

And you’re not going in front of a jury wondering who’s gonna win,” 

he said.

___

Brittany Peterson, The Associated Press

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2026/06/12/patagonia-is-suing-pattie-gonia-a-drag-queen-performer-with-an-environmental-message/