Jun 18
Vivian Wilson Shines in Drag Debut at LA Fundraiser for Immigrant Legal Defense
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
On June 13, 2025, Los Angeles’ The Bellwether was alive with applause as Vivian Jenna Wilson, known as “Vivllainous” on stage, delivered her first-ever drag performance at “Pattie Gonia Presents SAVE HER! — An Environmental Drag Show.” The event was more than a spectacle; it was a rallying point for queer solidarity and immigrant rights, with all proceeds directed to legal defense funds supporting immigrants in the Los Angeles area.
Wilson, the 21-year-old transgender activist and daughter of Elon Musk and Justine Wilson, took the stage in a sleek black catsuit and translucent corset, captivating the crowd with a powerful lip-sync to “Wasted Love” by JJ. Waving a transgender pride flag, Wilson’s performance was both a personal milestone and a public statement of support for immigrant communities facing increased enforcement and legal challenges.
Drag as Activism: Uplifting Voices for Justice
The “SAVE HER!” show was organized and hosted by Pattie Gonia, a prominent environmental activist and drag performer celebrated for merging art with advocacy. The event featured a lineup of queer performers, including Sequoia, Vera!, Nini Coco, Jacob Ostler, Skirt Cocaine, Noxxia Datura, and Trudy Tective, each bringing energy and visibility to intersecting causes of immigrant justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
Pattie Gonia addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of local action in the face of nationwide challenges: “We feel like now more than ever, there’s more hateful shit in this world. There are so many problems and when the problem seems so big, what we do is get local and we get to work,” she said, highlighting the event’s grassroots, community-driven approach.
Context: Queer Resistance Amid National Turmoil
The fundraiser occurred against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Just days before the event, a large-scale ICE raid at a local Home Depot sparked citywide protests, with the federal government deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines, despite objections from city and state officials. The queer community, long at the forefront of social justice movements, mobilized through art and activism to support legal aid for detained immigrants and their families.
Wilson’s involvement brought increased media attention, given her high-profile background and outspoken advocacy. Her drag debut was not only a personal act of empowerment but also a symbol of defiance and hope for marginalized communities—demonstrating how queer artistry can serve as a force for collective action and mutual aid.
Community Response and Looking Forward
Videos of the performance, shared widely on social media and by OutMagazine, captured the joyful defiance of the night—Wilson waving the trans flag, the audience’s cheers, and the embrace of drag as both celebration and protest (Instagram: @vivllainous, @pattiegonia; OutMagazine). The event’s success underscored the ongoing commitment of LGBTQ+ communities to intersectional activism, particularly as anti-immigrant and anti-trans policies continue to threaten vulnerable groups.
As the fight for immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ liberation continues, Wilson’s debut stands as a powerful reminder: queer creativity and community are vital tools in the broader struggle for justice.
