Ben 🤓

And with the holidays around the corner, the risk of food insecurity is only growing.

We need a system that puts people first, where dignity isn’t negotiable.

Because food isn’t a privilege. It’s a fucking right.

In San Diego, we see families doing everything right: working long hours, caring for loved ones, contributing to our communities, and still struggling to afford groceries.

As we approach the November 1st SNAP funding cutoff, millions of families could face impossible choices: pay rent or buy food.

Food is a human right. Period.

A government that can’t guarantee people can eat isn’t doing its job. SNAP isn’t a handout, it’s a lifeline. When Washington plays political games, it’s our friends, families, and neighbors who pay the price.

If you couldn’t make it out last night, check them out and give them some love. 👉 Explore their work or order online: chouettedesigns.com

✨ Studio Tour! ✨ So proud of our friends and neighbors Ashley & Marine for the grand opening of their new studio space for Chouette Designs! Chouette Designs is a women and LGBTQ owned jewelry brand, creating size-inclusive, demi-fine adornment for everyone.

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈Thank you to the incredible donors, volunteers, and staff who make The Center’s work possible. In a year of real challenges, you’ve shown what love, courage, and solidarity look like in action. Because of you, thousands of San Diegans find safety, belonging, and hope every year.

The federal admin and Republican leadership would rather play games than do their jobs. Workers and the people shouldn’t be collateral damage.

Our gov should work for the people. Our gov should put families before fortune, people before profit, and workers before billionaires. #EndTheShutdown

Right now, federal workers are on the front lines of this reckless shutdown. Families are missing paychecks. Federal jobs are at risk. Critical programs and services that millions of everyday Americans depend on—everything from food assistance to housing support—are being cut off.

🔥 We showed what San Diego is made of!

@workingfamilies.org is about YOU — the people fighting for affordable housing, healthcare, union jobs, and a democracy that works for the many, not the few.

San Diego is ready to lead & with WFP we’re building a city that truly puts working families first.

And to all the friendly faces, both familiar and new — thank you for bringing your energy, your hope, and your commitment to growing this movement.

This is just the beginning. Together, we’re building a San Diego and a California that puts working families first.

Huge shoutout to our incredible elected officials and community leaders who showed up in solidarity:

▪️ Assemblymember Alex Lee @votealexlee.bsky.social
▪️ Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
▪️ San Diego Unified Trustee Cody Petterson
▪️ Joseph Muro, Vice Chair of the Oceanside Youth Commission

✨ Last night’s @workingfamilies.org event was everything and more.

Grateful to everyone who came out to learn more about WFP, support working people, and build power together. Special thanks to Jane Kim, WFP State Director, for joining us in SD & @seanelorivera.bsky.social for emceeing the event.

📢 Join the Working Families Party this Friday (Sep 26 | 7–9pm) as we welcome Jane Kim, California WFP State Director to San Diego!

Let’s make this a night of community, connection, and power building for working families. See you Friday!

RSVP 👉 mysandiego.info/wfp

🚨 San Diego: We’ve got something SPECIAL coming up!

Join us Friday (Sep. 26) as we welcome Jane Kim, @caworkingfamilies.bsky.social State Director, for a night of community, connection, and celebration.

Whether you’re a member or just curious about WFP, all are welcome! RSVP: mysandiego.info/wfp

I say all of this knowing I’m one of the worst perpetrators. But… I’m also posting this mid-flight on a mini-vacation, so accountability? 🤷🏽

Alternative opening to this post: “Catching flights, not feelings” -Audre Lorde (probably)

It was either the Bob Belcher or Audre Lorde 🤷🏽 (a toss up really) that said: ”Caring for myself, is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.”

Please be kind to yourselves. You deserve rest & recovery. Don’t postpone joy.

This is a HUGE opportunity — a win in Oceanside could pave the way for rent stabilization across San Diego County.

📍 Show up in person: Oceanside City Hall, 6 PM

📲 Take Action NOW: mysandiego.info/oside

🚨 FINAL STRETCH: On Wednesday, Sep 3 at 6PM, Oceanside City Council will vote on a Tenant Protection Ordinance that could help stop unfair evictions, stabilize rents, and keep families housed.

MAJOR props to @ericjoyce760.bsky.social, his mighty team, and the coalition of community partners!

Exhausted? Yes. Inspired? Even more. Days like today remind me why I love this work. Proud to stand alongside so many who are fighting to make San Diego a city that truly works for San Diegans. ✊🏽

It’s been a long (and very sweaty 😅) Labor Day out with @seanelorivera.bsky.social, capturing moments of solidarity, joy, and power with workers, community leaders, and organizers. Huge thanks to @sdiclaborcouncil.bsky.social and the coalition that made today possible.

This Labor Day we’re marching for dignity, justice, and a $25/hr minimum wage for tourism + hospitality workers. TOGETHER, we WILL win a $25/hr minimum wage and show which side we’re on: WORKERS, NOT corporations.

📍 Waterfront Park – 1600 Pacific Hwy
🗓 Mon, Sep 1 | 10AM
🔗 bit.ly/sdlaborday2025

🔥✊🏽 Fired up for tomorrow’s (Mon, Sep 1) Labor Day Rally & March!

In addition to marching alongside workers, unions, community leaders and (hopefully) YOU, I’ll also be doing some media work around our Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance coming to Council on Sep. 16. More Info: mysandiego.info/wage

🍳 Casual brunch where I had to document our diverging takes on casual in my daddy tee and Mark’s pussy bow blouse. I love us. 💜

So much concrete 😓 That poor park looks like it’s being held hostage

📢 Want to get involved? Oceanside’s @ericjoyce760.bsky.social is hosting a virtual drop-in session to review the ordinance and answer any last-minute questions.

🗓️ Virtual TPO Info Session
📍 Monday, August 25th, 2025
⏰ 6–7 PM
🔗 mysandiego.info/zoom

For more info on the policy ➡️ mysandiego.info/tpo

Grateful to YIMBY Dems President Manny Rodriguez for the invite and warm welcome. I don’t get to attend as many YIMBY events as I used to, and this one truly filled my cup. 💜

Big shoutout to Oceanside Youth Commissioner—and all-around incredible human—Joseph Muro for bringing the voice of renters to today’s YIMBY Dems policy meeting! 🙌🏽 Joseph spoke powerfully in support of the Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO) that’s heading to Oceanside City Council on Wed, Sep 3rd.

Here are a couple important dates coming up:

▪️Monday, Aug 25 - FINAL TPO Rally

▪️Wednesday, Sep 3 - TPO Goes to Full City Council for a Vote

#OceansideTPO #TenantProtections #WorkingFamiliesParty #StopDisplacement #HousingIsAHumanRight #MakeHousingWork #CommunityPower

🏠 Thank you to Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce for hosting and everyone who came out for tonight’s Community Workshop on Tenant Protections.

Let’s get this done! 👏🏽

🏠 Oceanside is stepping up for tenants but…they need our support!

This Thursday (Aug 7 at 6pm), join the Tenant Protections Community Workshop to learn about a new ordinance that could help stop unfair evictions, limit rent hikes, and keep families housed.

More info at mysandiego.info/tpo