Boston offers wellness vouchers for LGBTQ+ migrants

Boston partnered with nonprofit OUTnewcomers on a program called Belonging Matters to provide small wellness vouchers to low‑income LGBTQ+ migrants; OUTnewcomers said media reports misrepresented the program and paused it after threats to staff and participants.

Boston is working with the nonprofit OUTnewcomers on a program called Belonging Matters that aims to provide wellness supports to LGBTQ+ migrants living in the city. Initial media reports said the city would hand out larger vouchers for services like yoga, massage, meditation, haircuts, acupuncture, and gym memberships. OUTnewcomers later disputed those reports and described the program as modest and need‑based. The organization announced a temporary pause after reporting threats against its founder and program participants. Key facts: - The program is described as a City of Boston partnership with the nonprofit OUTnewcomers under the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. - One news report said the program would provide $250–$500 vouchers for services such as yoga, meditation, massages, hair salon visits, acupuncture, and gym memberships. - OUTnewcomers said the City‑funded program is modest and need‑based, providing small vouchers of $50 or less to eligible LGBTQ+ migrants for limited wellness supports. - OUTnewcomers said the program prioritizes low‑income, isolated queer and trans migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees living in Boston. - OUTnewcomers announced a temporary pause after reporting multiple death threats and threats to report participants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. - Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Michelle Wu and OUTnewcomers for comment, according to the report. Summary: The program drew differing accounts in media reports and from OUTnewcomers, and the nonprofit paused Belonging Matters after reporting threats to its founder and participants. Undetermined at this time.