Some Not-Depressing Links

For your Sunday ...

Author

Sandy Allen
May 31, 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 everyone,

I have some big stuff in the works this coming month (for Pride), including an essay on this very newsletter I’m excited about … coming very soon. Tell your friends to subscribe if they don’t already.

I wanted to share this thread I started on Bluesky with you, soliciting ideas of queer/trans-owned/led small businesses, causes, etc. I made a roundup of such things last year for Pride and I want to do one again. Your suggestions / signal boosts are appreciated. You can respond there or write me here to send in ideas.

Periodic reminder, if you work for a company or organization that perhaps wants a speaker — this month, or whenever — that’s something I do. I can speak on topics related to mental health and/or gender. Learn more:

Speaking — Sandy Ernest Allen

More about author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen's speaking appearances and information about how to hire him to speak for your organization on topics related to gender and mental health ...

Sandy Ernest Allen

I’ll keep it short today. Here are some not-depressing links …

Like this story about a New York City Grandma Stand …

Amazing LGBTQ+ news out of Nepal …

Historic milestone: Nepal establishes Ministry for Gender and Sexual Minorities under PM Balendra Shah

In a South Asian first, the Government of Nepal under PM Balendra Shah has officially formed the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security to legally protect and empower the LGBTIQ community.

Zee News

And out of Albania …

Balkan queers are the best people in the world and you will never convince me otherwise ❤️ HRT now available on Albanian public health services 🏳️‍⚧️🇦🇱🏳️‍🌈

— Alex Saying Stuff (@alexsaysstuff.bsky.social)2026-05-30T12:37:46.100Z

Huge TB breakthrough …

Long a dream, it's now real: a fast and accurate TB test that doesn't need phlegm

TB tests use phlegm — not the easiest thing to get or work with. It takes time for results. And there can be false negatives and positives. A new test is more accurate and takes less than half an hour.

NPR

Sharp analysis that also made me LOL …

The GOP’s Birthday Boy Defense

Republicans built a brand on “f your feelings.” Then the DNC called Stephen Miller ugly, and they found theirs.

Parker Molloy

This headline made me LOL …

Does God Have a Dick?? | Katelyn Burns

Does God Have a Dick?? by Katelyn Burns on Patreon. Join Katelyn Burns's community for exclusive content and updates.

Patreon

Some inspiring recipes for spring, featuring asparagus and rhubarb, etc. …

freshly-picked spring

plus: chicken salad for celery enthusiasts

deb perelman

What’s Helping Today: Fresh asparagus …

fresh asparagus I’ve just picked, you can see my lavender crocs below

Alright! Speaking of rhubarb, I’m going to go outside and weed my rhubarb patch, hopefully bake some rhubarb things in coming days …

I do still intend to publish more Sandy’s Recipe Club posts BTW. I’ve just had to sideline some such projects during this caretaking-focused and grief-stricken time in my life.

Sending everyone love. Thanks for reading.

Happy Pride,
Sandy

p.s. For anyone wanting to reach out about anything else, like to write into my advice column, this is the way …

p.p.s. The latest Dear Sandy, advice I wrote to a father of a trans boy, who was furious …

"dealing with blind fucking rage"

Dear Sandy #9: Advice for a father of a trans kid ...

What's Helping Today • Sandy Allen

p.p.p.s. And the previous one, in which I responded to a fellow trans person …

Dear Sandy #8

"how do I find the will to live again?"

What's Helping Today • Sandy Allen

This has been What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me — author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you were forwarded this message, What’s Helping Today is free; you can subscribe here.

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