Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office has denied allegations of city funding for a program providing LGBTQ migrants with wellness benefits after backlash over the program’s initial promotion.
OUTnewcomers, a queer advocacy group based in Boston, has come under scrutiny for its program “Belonging Matters,” which initially advertised wellness allowances of up to $500 for LGBTQ immigrants. The program aimed to offer services such as yoga, haircuts, and other wellness activities.
However, Mayor Michelle Wu’s office has refuted claims that city funds were allocated to support these benefits. A spokesperson for the mayor stated, “No funds have been distributed or directed for these purposes. This organization received a $7,500 grant through a City program to support mental health services. Those funds were not designated for and may not be used for the voucher program referenced.”
This situation has raised questions about the actual offerings of the “Belonging Matters” program and whether any city-backed funding was connected to the advertised benefits. It also highlights the complexities surrounding how Boston manages and oversees grants to external advocacy groups.
OUTnewcomers is among 45 recipients of a broader $200,000 initiative aimed at supporting LGBTQ communities in Boston, a figure approved by Wu last year as part of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA). According to city officials, the $7,500 mini-grant awarded to OUTnewcomers was drawn from the 2026 budget, but the city has not clarified the original purpose of this funding.
In a press release, Wu emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ residents, stating, “These investments represent our continued dedication to uplifting LGBTQ+ Bostonians by putting resources directly into the hands of trusted community organizations.”
The registration form for the “Belonging Matters” program initially included a range of wellness options for applicants, such as yoga, breathwork, meditation, gym memberships, creative arts, peer support, storytelling, nature-based wellness, and hair styling. The program promised wellness allowances of $250 to $500, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
However, the organization later revised its description, stating that the program would instead provide vouchers of $50 or less. This change has led to discrepancies between the program’s initial promotion and its later characterization. In a subsequent press release, OUTnewcomers clarified, “Our City of Boston-funded program is modest and need-based. It provides small vouchers of $50 or less to eligible LGBTQ+ migrants living in Boston to access limited wellness support such as haircuts, acupuncture, or massage.”
The program has faced criticism online, with some observers labeling it a misuse of taxpayer dollars. One commenter on X remarked, “Handing out perks & benefits like this all the while telling the taxpayers of Boston you need to pay more because we have a huge shortfall in our budget,” referencing property tax increases approved by the Boston City Council in 2025.
As of now, OUTnewcomers has not responded to inquiries regarding the number of registrants expected or how many have enrolled in the program thus far. The organization announced on Thursday that it had temporarily suspended the program due to “security threats.”
Founded by Sal Khan, a queer journalist originally from Pakistan, OUTnewcomers describes itself as a grassroots and volunteer-run organization focused on community-led advocacy, resource navigation, and collective care. The group only recently launched its website in April, and it currently does not include a 990 form, which is typically required for nonprofits to disclose their structure, leadership, and revenue.
The ongoing debate surrounding the “Belonging Matters” program underscores the challenges faced by local governments and advocacy organizations in navigating funding and service delivery for marginalized communities.
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