COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

RAINBOW FUN UNDER THE SUN!

PRIDE BY THE BEACH RETURNS TO OCEANSIDE

Downtown Oceanside’s Civic Center Plaza is gearing up for the return of Pride. So let’s get together! Be out, be proud and be ready to have some fun at North County Pride by the Beach. It’s just around the corner on Saturday, June 11 from noon to 6 p.m. The free event includes two stages of entertainment, exhibitors, food vendors, an art walk, free swag and activities for all ages.

The RAGE Monthly caught up with North County Pride by the Beach’s emcee Butterfly Luv Hugz to talk about this year’s highlights and what she loves most about Pride and North County.

Luv Hugz said she is looking forward to performances by Ferris Wheel, Queer Boi Band, The Holy Rainbow Club, Joey Pearson, hip hop artist Tony Ocean and Go Scarlet.

“Drag shows are happening all day including Mz. Karaoke, and we are doing a pet contest too,” she said. “Performances will be on the hour at the main stage and every half-hour on the community stage. Plus, we have DJ Clara Beats and DJ Topeka Clemintine ‘Kai.’ My partner emcee is the fabulous drag queen Paris Sukomi Max.”

Luv Hugz (she/her/hers) grew up on the South Side of Chicago. “As a Black queer woman, I was always seeking community,” she said. “Four years ago, when I moved to North County, I came across the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, and I have been serving as a leader ever since. I served as emcee of our virtual pride festivals during 2020 and 2021.”

“I am definitely excited to be back on a stage in person this year! We have such a great lineup of performers, and I really love that we are supporting local artists from North County. People who sing uplifting songs, who sing about gay experiences, dating and falling in love. North County Pride by the Beach loves supporting up-and-coming local artists who are queer or artistic allies and who love this community. They don’t often have places to perform outside of bars and restaurants. We love lifting up their voices and giving them a bigger, safe stage to strut their stuff and perform,” she said.

Luv Hugz was born to be an emcee and speaker: “You know, ever since I was a little girl, and our family would take a summer road trip, a six-hour drive to see family in Ohio, I would sit in the back-seat, right-side window and look at the farms passing by and daydream. I would see myself standing in front of a room, on a stage or on a platform, always speaking to a room full of people. I spoke at the Mayo Clinic, I taught high school for eight years, I’ve won awards from Toastmasters. I am an inspirational speaker and empowerment coach for teens and young adults, particularly Black and LGBTQ young people. When I was teaching, I hosted the Black Student Union and the Gay/Straight Alliance in my classroom. I just want to connect with people and pour love into our community.”

Luv Hugz concluded: “North County Pride by the Beach is a familyfriendly, drug- and alcohol-free event. We want to welcome people where they are at in their journey. If you are on a journey toward sobriety, you can be comfortable. If you care to drink, there are friendly restaurants and bars nearby to have dinner after the festival closes. We hope to be positive, uplifting and pour some joy into our queer youth. At the event, attendees can purchase raffle tickets or make a donation in honor of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center’s Linda Johnson Youth Scholarship Fund. This day is about being together, sharing resources, enjoying the arts and music, pride, hope, and maybe some healing. It is life-affirming! Enjoy!” pridebythebeach.org

Follow Butterfly Luv Hugz on Instagram at butterflyluvhugz Learn more about the programs of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center at ncresourcecenter.org