Boston’s mayoral office says it did not fund the advertised $250–$500 wellness allowances for LGBTQ migrants. City officials say OUTnewcomers received a $7,500 mini-grant earmarked for mental health services that cannot be used for vouchers. The group later scaled back its description to vouchers of $50 or less and has temporarily suspended the program, citing security threats. The dispute has stirred criticism and questions about grant oversight and transparency.
Boston Says It Did Not Fund $500 ‘Wellness’ Vouchers After OUTnewcomers Backtracks
Boston mayor denies funding LGBTQ migrant ‘wellness’ perks after program touts up to $500 benefits
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s office denies that city funds were used to pay for a program that had advertised up to $250–$500 in “wellness” allowances for LGBTQ migrants, saying the city awarded only a $7,500 mini-grant for mental health services that cannot be used for the voucher program.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ordered the release of ICE body cam and surveillance footage, accusing federal agents of unconstitutional actions and pledging transparency and accountability.(Getty Images)
What Was Promoted
The volunteer group OUTnewcomers ran an outreach effort called "Belonging Matters," and its original registration form listed services such as yoga, breathwork, meditation, gym memberships, creative arts, storytelling, nature-based wellness and hair styling. The form suggested applicants might receive $250–$500 in wellness allowances on a case-by-case basis.
Boston, Mass., skyline.
City Response
"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," a city spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Program Revision and Suspension
After public backlash, OUTnewcomers revised its description of the program, saying it provides modest, need-based vouchers of $50 or less for eligible LGBTQ+ migrants to access limited wellness supports such as haircuts, acupuncture, or massage. The organization later said it had temporarily suspended the initiative, citing "security threats."
Mayor Wu speaks as the Mayor and City leaders hold a press conference on violence and drug use in DTC on February 26.
Context and Oversight Questions
OUTnewcomers is listed among 45 recipients of a broader $200,000 package approved last year to support Boston’s LGBTQ communities as part of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA). City officials said the $7,500 award was a separate mini-grant allocated from the 2026 budget and that no additional city funds were authorized for the voucher program.
Critics on social media framed the initial voucher claim as a misuse of taxpayer funds, noting recent local budget debates and property tax adjustments. OUTnewcomers did not provide figures on expected enrollment or current registrants. The group — which says it is a grassroots, volunteer-run organization founded by Sal Khan, a queer journalist originally from Pakistan — launched its website in April and, as of the latest available information, does not list a publicly available Form 990.
Why It Matters
The episode highlights tensions over municipal grant oversight, how city-funded initiatives are described by third-party groups, and the potential for messaging errors to fuel public controversy. City officials emphasized that the specific mini-grant cannot be repurposed for vouchers, while the group’s changing description and temporary suspension have left unanswered questions about program scope and accountability.
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