Queen of Weird and Weed
When Alyssa Buttons-Garten moved to Eugene in 2011, one of the first events she attended was the Slug Queen Coronation during the Eugene Celebration. And from that moment on, she knew slimy queendom was in her future. And come 2022, the SLUG Queen Competition and Coronation 40th year in existence, Alyssa Buttons took on a new slimy moniker Queen Sativa Slugworth becoming the ruby Queen. Raining under an umbrella of authenticity through weirdness and vulnerability, Queen Sativa tries to be a voice for the oddballs, black sheep, and the disenfranchised. But beyond the weirdness, lies the heart of an activist. During her raining year, Queen Sativa raised money for The Last Prisoner Project. The Last Prisoner Project is a nonprofit organization with the goal of getting all nonviolent cannabis offenders out of prison. Fundraising through various methods; burlesque show fundraisers (with several raffle items donated from Old Queens), workplace fundraising and working with the Imperial Court of the Emerald Empire to put on a Bowl-a-Thon. This Queen is always ready to party for a purpose.
Being dubbed ‘The Queen of Weird’ by Eugene Weekly, Queen Sativa wears the title well and hopes to encourage all she meets to be their own flavor of weird. Once upon a time, the ‘weird’ title was a place of shame for this Queen but life, love and loss has made way for her true self to shine through without hesitation. Online, Queen Sativa has a hefty social media following and tries to use her platform for the good of all. Even hosting a monthly, Weirdo Support Group on zoom with people all over the world. Authenticity through Vulnerability is the code this Queen lives by.
During her raining year, Queen Sativa has been able to attend many amazing local events. Taking up the title of Grand Marshal of the costumed pet parade during Halloween, giving a presentation on Weirdo Pride with KLCC Friends of the City, giving the benediction for the Jello Art Festival and more.
With the support of her human consort, Kyle and the love of their kiddos, Queen Sativa will continue her slimy work while supporting each new Queen to come.