10 moments of activism that defined the pain and hope of 2022 (2024)

Let's not beat around the bush. This year has been a lot. From attacks on fundamental liberties to the systemic erasure of the existence of queer people, and yet more public and digital violence, 2022 hasn't given us a break from bad news. It's been exhausting to exist both in the real world and on the internet.

But among these dark 2022 moments, there have existed bright glimmers of hope. Communities knit together a warm cover of activism and resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors. Individuals stepped up for one another yet again. And history was still made for the better.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of some of the bright moments within all the bad, to serve as a reminder that people can still make a difference.

1. National Women's Soccer League finally gets an equal-pay victory

After years of litigation, the National Women's Soccer League finally saw its first equal pay win as the U.S. Women's Soccer Team reached a settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation in its class-action suit for equal pay. The globally recognized athletes and World Cup winners had been embroiled in a fight for fair compensation for three years, and the internet responded to the win with a resounding cheer of triumph. It was one step closer to equal pay in a highly competitive sport, coming with the promise that future players would be paid the same as the men's team.

2. New Zealand bans conversion therapy

New Zealand achieved a global "win for humanity" as the country officially banned conversion therapy and made it an illegal offense to engage in practices "that seek to change or suppress a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression," according to the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill. After its first introduction in July 2021, the bill was met with historically popular petitions and country-wide public input in favor of the new legislation. New Zealand is one of 14 countries — including Brazil, Samoa, Fiji, Argentina, Germany, and others — that have banned some form of the practice.

3. Ketanji Brown Jackson makes history as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court

After an arduous confirmation hearing that highlighted the hypocritical standards and power politics set for Black women in personal and professional settings, Ketanji Brown Jackson was finally confirmed in April as the U.S. Supreme Court's first Black woman justice. The hearing was an eye-opening moment for many, and spurred countless discussions about race and gender — including viral, highly emotional comments by Representative Cory Booker. A day after her confirmation, Jackson spoke about the history-making moment, saying, "The path was cleared for me, so that I might rise to this occasion. And in the poetic words of Dr. Maya Angelou, I do so now."

4. Communities step out to protect LGBTQ youth

This year saw multiple attempts at silencing the history and existence of LGBTQ people and youth. In Texas, political leaders targeted trans children and their families with a call to treat gender-affirmation treatments as child abuse. Meanwhile, Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law banned the discussion of sexuality and gender identity by public school teachers. The two states joined (and influenced) other state legislators with discriminatory policies of their own, like those in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Ohio, but also spurred inspirational acts of support for LGBTQ youth around the country. Students — galvanized by the political climate — organized walkouts in Florida school districts; community protests took over state capitols; and even Disney employees stepped out to protest their employer's response to the discriminatory bill.

5. Refugees from Ukraine receive global support

In February, the Russian military invaded the eastern border of Ukraine, beginning an international conflict that forced more than a million people living in Ukraine out of the country as refugees, resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and humanitarian violations, and increased violence against anti-war protesters in Russia. The international community threw out immense support for the displaced people, with fundraisers, temporary housing offers from around the world, and many other forms of aid.

6. The country rallies behind the right to abortion access once again

To the horror of many, 2022 appeared to usher in the latest, perhaps most devastating, attack on reproductive health care in recent memory. First, a leaked draft opinion by Supreme Court justices implied a terrifying reversal of Roe v. Wade protections. One month later, the court officially eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. In true fashion, reproductive justice activists, nonprofits, celebrities, and everyday folks gathered together to demand the right to safe reproductive healthcare and abortion access in whatever ways they could. From donation drives to nationwide protests, the #BansOffOurBodies movement swelled. Celebrities, including pop music's biggest stars and indie favorite Phoebe Bridgers, signed a petition by Planned Parenthood and shared their personal abortion stories, while masses of people gathered around the country and in solidarity marches around the world.These efforts only increased after the court decision, popping up in podcast campaigns, public stages, and even corporate leadership. It was a resounding community cry for reproductive autonomy.

7. Gun reform activists won't let politicians rest until everyone is safe in public spaces

The middle of the year was marked by the devastating news of yet another mass shooting, this time at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The event was the worst school shooting since the events of Sandy Hook in 2012, and it was both preceded and followed by several more public, mass shootings around the country, including those in Buffalo, New York; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Laguna Woods, California; and later, the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Needless to say, many Americans were just fed up. Gun reform activists once again demanded action from slow-to-move politicians; protesters staked themselves outside the National Rifle Association annual meeting happening five hours away in Houston; and Texas residents waited their turn to donate blood for the victims as the state faced a crisis in supply.

In the wake of this devastating violence, it finally felt like public opinion might be on the side of gun reform, with activists communicating a sense of hope, bi-partisan leaders meeting to hopefully strike a deal on gun reform legislation, and even some GOP donors voicing support for gun control measures. In June, President Joe Biden signed the Safer Communities Act, which expanded and clarified existing gun law and allocated additional funding to school safety and community intervention. And while movement on gun reform hasn't moved much beyond this, many activists remain optimistic.

8. The year was filled with mass union efforts to amplify workers' rights across industries

From publishing and media groups to service workers and retail giants, unionization efforts were on hyperdrive. Many labor advocates rode a wave of wins from Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks, while others raised national attention to the needs of workers and the unethical actions of their employers.

This energy was also reflected in digital spaces. In August, popular TikTok creators and the group Gen Z for Change joined in the efforts of the Amazon Labor Union, starting the "People Over Prime" campaign. Creators participating in the campaign refused Amazon sponsorships and monetization, calling out the company's anti-union practices and exploitation. Earlier in the year, the group used a similar tactic to call out the union-busting tactics of Starbucks. By the end of 2022, 100 of the more than 250 unionized Starbucks locations had gone on strike; the Amazon Labor Union had won a significant legal victory against the company in Staten Island, New York; and many more workers' groups were joining the strengthening labor movement.

9. A global hair-cutting movement supports the political organizing of Iranian women

The international community stood in solidarity with nationwide political and student protests in Iran, notably galvanized by the treatment of young women on the frontlines of organizing and the suspicious deaths of several Iranian protesters. This came to a head with the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained by police officers and sent to a modesty "re-education" center. Amini's family was later notified that she had "suffered a heart attack” after her arrest and fell into a coma, CNN reported. In response, Iranian women began cutting their hair or shaving their heads completely as a form of symbolic public protest. Globally, Iranian women and supporters alike — including celebrities like Marion Cotillard and Swedish politician Abir Al-Sahlani — also joined in the movement to show their support. As of December, demonstrations have continued, but the Iranian government has said it's considering easing some gender-based restrictions.

10. FIFA World Cup protests show solidarity with the LGBTQ community and migrant workers

The final months of the year ushered in the highly-anticipated global sporting event, hosted by the country of Qatar. But what might normally be an exciting month of friendly international competition was instead mired in controversy. Amnesty International called the event a "World Cup of Shame," citing the financial and physical exploitation of the event's migrant worker population (tasked with refurbishing the sporting facilities) alongside other human rights violations of the Qatar government. A global "Boycott Qatar" movement calling for participating countries, celebrities, and potential attendees to eschew the competition, also grew. At the same time, cries against Qatar's stance criminalizing same-sex relationships were exacerbated by hom*ophobic comments made by event officials and the treatment of fans sporting rainbow flags, leading many more into protest. Country representatives made visual statements on and off the pitch, celebrities refused their invitations, the tech world ushered in a rainbow protest, and one brave attendee even stormed the field cloaked in both a rainbow flag and a message.

The somber moments of 2022 may have seemed never-ending. But each one was also a potent reminder of how communities have joined together to offer support during an emotionally taxing year, from your local streets to the global stage.

UPDATE: Dec. 7, 2022, 3:00 p.m. EST This story was updated with additional protest moments reflecting the ongoing activism of 2022.