U.S. to officially recognize trans & non-binary veterans’ genders
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announced that gender selections on paperwork will now include the options of transgender female, transgender male, non-binary, and other.
Nations
This archive collects stories from Good News for Humankind involving nations — countries and their governments — as key actors in progress. Across 1,807 articles, you’ll find reporting on policy wins, international cooperation, and measurable improvements in health, climate, rights, and more.
$20 million copyright buyout makes Australian Aboriginal flag free for all
Luritja artist Harold Thomas created the flag in 1970 to represent Aboriginal people and their connection to the land, and it has been an official national flag since the end of the last century.
U.S. to invest more than $1 billion in Everglades restoration
“The iconic American landscape provides drinking water supply for over 8 million Floridians, supports the state’s $90 billion tourism economy, and is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species.”
U.S. raises minimum wage for federal employees to $15
The directive will impact almost 70,000 federal employees most of whom work at the Departments of Defense, Agriculture and Veteran Affairs.
France ends ban on gay and bisexual male blood donors
France passed its first ban on men who have sex with men donating blood in 1983, in the early years of the AIDS crisis.
Germany to dedicate 2% of its land to wind power development
If successful, the plan will add up to 10 gigawatts of new onshore wind capacity every year for the rest of the decade.
The Philippines bans child marriage
Under the new law, culpable parties can face prison terms of up to 12 years for marrying or cohabiting with anyone under the age of 18.
Israel lifts surrogacy ban for same-sex parents
The new law will also grant equal access to surrogate pregnancy for all, including single men and transgender individuals.
Belgium enshrines the “right to disconnect” for government workers
Bosses won’t be able contact employees outside of work hours except in exceptional circumstances, according to a proposed law for civil servants in Belgium.
Canada pledges billions of dollars to compensate Indigenous children
$15.75 billion USD will be allotted to Indigenous children who were unfairly placed in the welfare system, faced delays in accessing services, or did not receive them at all.