Some Links, for Your Weekends

Just some things to perhaps read or listen to ...

Author

Sandy Allen
June 26, 2026

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth — written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hey folks,

A short one today, some links to some things …

Some good LGBTQ news out of the Netherlands … and out of Japan:

Japan to roll out nationwide LGBTQIA+ education for the first time

The country is taking a big step in its efforts to address gay rights but not everyone is convinced it goes far enough. 

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-15/japan-rolling-out-lgbtqia-education-for-the-first-time/106775430

Loved seeing this story on frog saunas:

‘Frog saunas’ could save species from deadly fungal disease, study finds

Australian scientists create brick refuges in greenhouses to help green and golden bell frogs survive infection

the Guardian

Indispensable coverage by Lex McMenamin about a terrible — and terrifying — situation:

‘This is injustice’: how leftist zines were used to sentence anti-ICE protesters to decades in prison

Advocates sound alarm after zines were used as evidence to convict protesters of terrorism charges tied to 2025 protest at Texas ICE facility

the Guardian

I really appreciated and learned a lot from this conversation, between two smart people I respect:

How to Think About AI Before It’s Too Late

Galaxy Brain · Episode

Spotify

I thought this was fascinating:

Sam Doesn't Know How to Be Rich

Proxy with Yowei Shaw · Episode

Spotify

Great episode of Articles of Interest:

Sizes

Podcast Episode · Articles of Interest · S8 E9 · 29m

Apple Podcasts

I was honored that Maris asked me to recommend a book for this fantastic post:

40 Great New Books You May Have Missed

It feels like JD Vance has been everywhere in the last few weeks, and haven’t we suffered enough? As much as I’m enjoying the universal disdain he’s receiving from a diverse array of publications, …

Literary Hub

In case you missed it, our package from a few months back:

What Was Lost: A Queer Accounting of the NY Times Book Review, 2013-2022

“Goodbye, Pamela Paul,” was the headline of Andrea Long Chu’s now-iconic, recently ASME-nominated New York Magazine farewell to the former NY Times Book Review editor, when Paul left the paper two …

Literary Hub

Thanks for reading!

Sending love,
Sandy

p.s. Again: 69+ ways to help LGB and especially T people, this Pride:

69+ Ways to Support LGB and especially T People

“ ... start being meaner to your transphobic family and coworkers”

What's Helping Today • Sandy Allen

p.p.s. Periodic reminder (especially if you’re new to my work) that I’m available to speak for companies/organizations … Learn more about hiring me.

This has been What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me — author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

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