the best news of 2023

Remember when we thought 2020 was going to be the worst year yet? Yeah. I’m not going to lie, this year was maybe worse?! Between violent global conflicts, robots stealing our jobs, and some of the worst wealth disparity in a generation, it’s been atypically bad. And to finish off the year with a painful thump, polls are now showing that Trump could be poised to become the next president of the United States. According to my hellishly high screen-time stats, and the amount of full candy bars I’ve eaten this year, I’m coping spectacularly well.

But amidst all this chaos, I wanted to look back at what went right this year. Despite all the complexities of our world, glimmers of hope and positivity did shine through! As we look back on the year 2023, several heartwarming and inspiring news stories have emerged, reminding us of the resilience, compassion, and innovation within humanity. Let’s look back at the best moments of the year to make sure we don’t let the last few months convince us to be apathetic about the state of the world.

1-A record number of men went to therapy.

According to a study published this year, the increase of men seeking and receiving therapy has never been this high! As more men engage in counseling, it contributes to the normalization and reduction of the stigma for other men to do it too. The increasing numbers of men seeking therapy signifies a positive shift in societal norms surrounding mental health and immense progress in terms of the masculinity code. It's a testament to all the work men have been putting into themselves and their relationships, and their willingness to get the help they need. As more men embrace the benefits of therapy, they contribute not only to their personal growth and well-being but also to a more empathetic and supportive society. Let’s go boys!

2-People who tried to ban abortion failed a lot at it.

Speaking of men who need therapy, anti-choice Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk tried to ban abortion pills this summer, and fell right on his face. His decision had no effect on women’s ability to get abortions, and while SCOTUS will be hearing a case on this topic next year, this anti-woman zealot failing needs to be celebrated! And while abortion used to be a deeply polarizing and sensitive topic, this year we saw it become a galvanizing issue that unifies Americans and wins elections more than ever. Every time it was on the ballot this year, it won. Strict abortion bans failed in Nebraska and South-Carolina. And some states took steps to guarantee the right to abortion even more than it was pre-roe. Ohio for instance, enshrined the right to abortion in its state constitution and “included some of the most protective language for abortion access of any statewide ballot initiative since the Supreme Court’s ruling.” Abortion rights being so popular even made Republicans shake in their boots and rethink the most fundamental parts of their strategy. The fight is far from over, but we’re going into 2024 from a position of power and strength and that feels so damn good!

3-Girlhood had her comeback.

Can we all take some time to remember just how fun our summer was? Our collective Barbie reckoning emerged as a defining moment, marking a significant step forward in redefining societal perceptions of femininity, diversity, and girlhood! It launched so many fascinating conversations about girl culture with trends like girl math, girl dinner and because it happened as Taylor Swift’s eras tour was creating a whole new economy based on female empathy, we got to see ourselves in everything. The movement sparked meaningful conversations about representation, and the importance of empowering young girls to embrace their individuality, strengths, and aspirations. It even challenged men to witness their own pain under patriarchy, and made us rethink whether matriarchy could work for us. We also got to watch Ben Shapiro filming himself burning his barbies, and talk about how much of a waste of time the movie was, in a 43-minute video, which was my personal highlight of the year.

4-Beyoncé broke down major barriers for Black women.

Leave it up to Beyoncé to break all the records. The Renaissance Tour earned its place in history this year, by becoming the highest-grossing tour for a Black woman, a feat that resonated far beyond the realms of entertainment. With a captivating stage presence, awe-inspiring performances, and a powerful message of empowerment, Beyoncé created an experience that resonated deeply with fans worldwide. The success of the Renaissance Tour sparked important conversations about the underrepresentation of Black women in the entertainment industry and highlighted the immense talent and potential that often goes unrecognized. Beyoncé's achievement opened doors and paved the way for future generations of Black women artists, inspiring them to dream bigger and reach for new heights. Her show was also, SO MUCH FUN.

5-Mexico totally decriminalized abortion.

In a groundbreaking and far-reaching decision, Mexico's Supreme Court threw out all federal criminal penalties associated with abortion. This historic ruling marks a significant step towards advancing reproductive rights and upholding individual autonomy over decisions regarding reproductive health in a country where activists have been fighting tooth and nail. The expansion of abortion rights for women and girls in Mexico stands as a beacon of progress and sets an example for nations worldwide, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the rights and well-being of young individuals in matters concerning their own bodies.

6-Rihanna’s sign interpreter made accessibility sexy.

It’s hard to outshine Rihanna, but one woman accomplished this major feat in 2023. Justina Miles captured our hearts and minds during the half-time Super Bowl show, proving that accessibility is indeed sexy! She stole the spotlight not just for her translation skills, but for her sheer passion and captivating presence. Her infectious enthusiasm and dynamic signing style transcended language barriers, resonating with both the deaf and hearing communities alike. Sign language interpreters are often overlooked, but not this year!

7-A bunch of countries decriminalized LGBTQ love.

While it’s been a year of hardship for the LGBTQ community, there’s also been some historic wins. The decriminalization of relations between people of the same sex in five countries, including the Caribbean states of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and St. Kitts and Nevis, marks a significant and progressive step forward in LGBTQ rights and equality worldwide. The major move to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations in these Caribbean nations represents a pivotal moment in the region's social and legal landscape. It signifies a departure from archaic laws that criminalized love and intimacy between consenting adults based on sexual orientation and gives us something to pat ourselves on the back about!

8-Michelle Yeoh Makes history as the first Asian woman to win best leading actress at the academy awards.

In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you, but in this life, she won an Oscar! In an unprecedented and historic turn of events, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win an award for Best Leading Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, etching her name into cinematic history. This groundbreaking achievement marked a monumental leap forward for diversity and representation in the film industry, and if her performance didn’t you weep, i’m sorry but you aren’t human!!

9-The price of insulin went down (for now).

In a rare move toward accessibility and affordability in healthcare, the three major insulin producers in America— Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi—have come together to substantially reduce the prices of insulin, a life-saving medication for millions of Americans with diabetes. This historic collaboration between these industry giants signifies a paradigm shift in addressing the escalating costs of essential medications. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to prioritize the well-being of patients and ensure equitable access to vital treatments. While The Inflation Reduction Act limited the out-of-pocket insulin price of insulin for seniors on Medicare to $35 per month, the concerted efforts coming from pharmaceutical companies helps make the drug more accessible to those who need it. While the fight is far from over, it shows that public pressure and public policy can come together to create meaningful change.

10-Sesame Street helped children understand opioid addiction.

Millions of children live in households with family members that are struggling with opioid addiction, but Sesame Street is there to help! In a heartfelt and poignant effort to support families affected by opioid addiction, the franchise introduced a special series featuring its beloved Muppets addressing this challenging issue with sensitivity and empathy. The initiative introduces children to Karli, a cute little green muppet who has a mother battling addiction.

By using the trusted platform of the beloved Muppets that we already love, Sesame Street continues its legacy of fostering kindness, inclusivity, and resilience in young minds.

11-Traveling just got a little bit easier for disabled people.

Traveling can be fresh hell for people with disabilities, but this year saw some major announcements that could begin to change that. The Transportation Department announced new regulations for all airplanes to have accessible bathrooms and lavatories, and United made a commitment to making travel less of a pain in the butt by letting travelers search for accessibility features so they know which aircrafts can accommodate their wheelchair. It’s a start!

12-Your boycotts worked. While boycotts rarely hurt a company’s bottom line, we’ve seen the opposite happen in 2023, where companies have taken a significant hit as a result of consumers uniting together. While some of the boycotts were lead by anti-LGBTQ forces, others like the boycott of Stabucks for its union-busting and position on Israel-Palestine, lost 11 billion dollars in value. It’s obviously hard to prove that one thing caused any corporations’ shares to dip, but what you’re doing with your wallet matters more than ever.

13-Rudy Giuliani had to file for bankruptcy. This one is self-explanatory, no explanation needed.

What did I miss? What were your highlights this year? Let me know in the comments! I hope this helped you remember the great things that happened this year so that we can enter 2024, refreshed and optimistic about our future!

I love you!

Liz