Hope & Heartbreak...

• ​Today is Trans Day of Visibility! This year, TDOV feels more important than ever, and we can all do our part to celebrate and care for trans and non-binary folks (more on that below).
• On Friday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, with devastation spreading throughout Thailand, too. More than 140 people were killed and hundreds more injured — here are some ways to help right now.​

Environment

Japan created a plastic that both dissolves in the ocean within hours and enhances soil health

Addressing the global issues of both plastic pollution and soil degradation in a single innovation, researchers in Japan have developed an advanced biodegradable plastic that dissolves in seawater and breaks down in soil, while improving its health.

Even more impressively, the unconventional plastic dissolves in seawater within a few hours and breaks down in soil within 10 days.

It’s also made from food-safe ingredients, is completely non-toxic, and does not release harmful byproducts. Furthermore, it does not release any carbon dioxide emissions while it decomposes, and can be easily recycled.

Why is this good news? Plastic waste and marine pollution have been massive, urgent environmental issues for decades, harming marine ecosystems and marine life, and contributing to the climate crisis. Plus: Other “biodegradable” plastic alternatives mostly break down into smaller pieces or require access to industrial composting, which many communities don’t have.

→ Read more​

More Good News

​Illinois returned nearly 1,500 acres of stolen land to the state’s first federally recognized tribe. Correcting a “historic injustice,” the land once belonged to Chief Shab-eh-nay of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation but was seized and sold by the U.S. when the chief was visiting relatives.

​The WNBA Golden State Valkyries became the first in the league to surpass 10,000 season tickets sold. The expansion team is the first to join the league since 2008, and in 2024, the WNBA had its highest total attendance in 22 years with 2.35 million fans — a 48% increase over 2023 and included 54 sellout games.

​A major home builder revealed its first “wildfire-resilient” community located in Southern California. The development will have 64 single-family homes that all meet the wildfire resilience standards designed to protect the homes against the three major sources of ignition during a wildfire: Flying embers, flames, and radiant heat.

​Two new buoys are helping researchers listen for critically endangered right whales off the coast of Massachusetts. They are part of a larger East Coast network of buoys that will “listen for, detect, classify, and report vocalizations of large whales in near real-time” and help develop fishing restrictions, speed limits for boats, and other conservation measures.

be the good

Join in celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility!

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility! This annual, international event is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate transgender and non-binary individuals while also fighting for a safer, more just future for all trans people.

Right now across the United States, trans people are under attack. From attempts to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth and trans participation in sports, or the constant and harmful barrage of misinformation about trans folks from some of the country’s most powerful leaders — TDOV is especially important this year.

It’s never been more imperative to fight for and affirm our trans neighbors, friends, and loved ones — here are some ways we can all do that this year:

1. Learn more about transgender people (we’ve got resources!)
2. ​Understand gender pronouns and their meanings
3. ​Read & protect books about gender, identity, and more
4. ​Read good news about trans people
5. Listen to/watch podcasts and playlists/TV shows and documentaries by and about trans people (we’ve got recommendations!)
6. ​Attend a TDOV event in-person or virtually

→ More ways to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility!​

Good Quote

→ More quotes from transgender activists​

Good Read

“Paper Doll: Notes From a Late Bloomer”

By Dylan Mulvaney

For those of us who laughed, cried, and celebrated alongside Dylan Mulvaney’s “Days of Girlhood” journey online — from experimenting with makeup and spilling the tea about laser hair removal, to exploring what it means to be a girl, “Paper Doll” is an honest, joyful peek behind the curtain of that journey — from pre- and post-transition.

Why we’re reading: Perhaps nobody personifies queer joy more than Dylan Mulvaney — even in the face of right-wing vitriol and relentless hatred. We’re the lucky ones to get to enjoy her wit, humor, wisdom, positivity, and advocacy in book form.

→ Get the book​

→ Get the audiobook (narrated by the author!)

More Good bits

📚 While you’re at it, join Dylan’s Book Club, too!

❤️ Forget everything you thought about substance abuse and homelessness.

👴 A group of grandpas are helping kids — and themselves.​

🥩 Not sold on vegan meat alternatives? Take a blind taste test.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Prince William had some important tour guides in Scotland.

What’s good?

I’m smack in the middle of John Green’s newest book right now, and it is absolutely fascinating, illuminating, infuriating, and inspiring.

Did you get any reading done over the weekend?

Tell me what you’re reading!

— Megan