Kristin Flickinger
She/Her
Executive Director, Pacific Pride Foundation

Where is your happy place?
I grew up in the mountains of Idaho where I learned to hike, bike, and camp and it’s still my happy place today.

Can you tell us about your involvement in the LGBTQ+ community?
I’ve been involved in the LGBTQ+ movement for over 20 years. First working against discriminatory policies in education and then for marriage equality. I’ve worked for the world’s largest LGBTQ organization, and I’ve ridden my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles three times to raise funds and awareness around HIV.

I’ve stood in protest and I’ve stood in solidarity.

Now, I stand with partners like Sanuk who are committed to supporting Pacific Pride Foundation’s work of ensuring a healthy, vibrant, and visible LGBTQ+ community. I hope you’ll join us by rocking Sanuk’s Pride collection and also by visiting PACIFICPRIDEFOUNDATION.ORG and making a donation today. Your support will benefit the LGBTQ+ people including youth and older adults who rely on our programs for social connection, mental and physical wellness, and community.

Dwayne Mosby (aka Maddy Mokes)
2017 Santa Barbara Queen of Pride
LGBT Program Coordinator, UCSB

How are you celebrating Pride this year?
It is such an honor to be able to be a part of this campaign and talk about Pride. This past year has been such a difficult year for everyone, so it’s really important that we take small moments to celebrate our joys, whether it be our chosen family, our actual family members, our pets, or a short line at the grocery store.

This is a time for us to celebrate and make sure that we are creating connections. Luckily, we live in a digital age where connection is just a touch away so if you ever want to reach out, feel free to reach out to our center at Pacific Pride Foundation.

What are some issues that you care most about?
It’s incredibly important to be aware of the issues that our community is facing. We need to be aware of Black Lives Matter. We need to be aware that trans folks are always leading the fight for our rights, and their rights are being attacked at this moment.

And most importantly is that all of our identities are intersectional. When one community is uplifted, all of ours are. So, remember, during this Pride season take care of each other, take care of yourselves, and do everything in your power to uplift each other.

Sky Limón
They/Them
Community Education Coordinator, Pacific Pride Foundation

Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a dad to four cats and a dog and I live with my partner full time in an RV. I also like to bike, pet our fur babies, and gaze at the moon with my telescope.

What did your journey to Pacific Pride Foundation look like?
My journey to PPF actually started as a volunteer. I was passionate about their mission and the work that they do for youth.

Growing up, I never had a safe place to turn to. I felt lost, confused, and rejected. I actually never met a queer person, so through the work that I do at PPF I hope to create a safe and welcoming space for others and be the role model that I never had by being my true, authentic self.

By having a supportive partner, family, friends, and working at Pacific Pride Foundation I’m finally able to live my life out loud and proud. It’s quite truly amazing how empowered you can feel by showing up as your true self.

George Bowles
They/Them
Pacific Pride Foundation
Communications and Operations Manager

What is a cause you feel passionately about and how do you get involved?
One cause that I care about a lot is affordable housing. LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately experience houselessness and I get involved through organizing with the Santa Barbara Tenants Union.

What is one thing that you’re looking forward to this summer?
One thing I’m very excited for this summer is being able to see my family.

Keilani Garcia
She/Her
Pacific Pride Foundation
Community Education Coordinator

What are some of your happy places or hobbies?
When I’m not working, I like to play video games, I like to take care of my dog and my plants, and I also like to bake.

Can you tell us about your journey to working with Pacific Pride Foundation?
I’m originally from Thousand Oaks, so not too far from [Santa Barbara]. I moved up here a couple years ago to go to UCSB and I graduated with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and feminist studies and stuck around here ever since. I’ve been at PPF since 2019, so there’s been a whole lot of change over the last couple years, but I absolutely love working here. My favorite part of the job is working with all of the awesome youth that we have across our county and even beyond our county. It is just such a joy to be able to work with our LGBTQ+ youth.