下週起約50萬低收入打工者會收到500元支票

        (Boston Orange) 麻州政府3月23日宣佈，新冠病毒基本工作人員加給計畫 (COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program) 發給低薪工作人員$500的第一輪發放，即日開始。這筆錢將於下週內郵寄給大約50萬人。

                上個月麻州議會通過，麻州州長貝克簽署的美國援救計劃法 (ARPA)40億元支出計畫，撥給新冠病毒基本工作人員加給計畫4億6000萬元，以為整個麻州提供快速、重要的支援。

                凡是2020年在麻州報稅，收入低於$12,750元 - 約等於以2020年的最低薪資一連50週，每週工作20小時，總收入低於聯邦貧窮線的300%以下的麻州居民，都符合資格。

                在2020年內收到失業補助的人，在這第一輪發放中將不符合資格。已經或即將收到麻州政府作為雇主，一次性付款的麻州行政部門員工，也不符合資格。

                這筆錢的支票將在未來數日內寄出。

                麻州民眾可上網查察自己是否符合領取資格，https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-employee-premium-pay-program#eligibility-parameters-。

                查詢可在週一至五的早上9點至4點之間，電洽專設的呼叫中心(866) 750-9803。

                麻州議會為低收入基本工作人員撥備共5億元的加給計畫。這4億6000萬元包括大部分的經費，以及4000萬元撥給早前和州政府員工工會達成協議的基金。第一輪發放，將以2020年的報稅紀錄為基準，共發放2億5000萬元。接下來的2021年報稅季，報稅資訊會用作為發放下一輪款項的基準。

Massachusetts to Begin Distribution of Premium Payments to Low-Income Workers

$500 payments to be sent to 500,000 eligible Massachusetts residents by the end of March and call center now available for constituents with eligibility questions

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the start of distribution of the first round of $500 payments for low-income workers under the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program. The payments will be mailed to approximately 500,000 people over the next week.

 

These payments were previously announced last month and represent the first round of a $460 million program passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Baker as part of a $4 billion spending plan for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Under this program created by the Legislature, the Administration was provided flexibility to design the program and develop eligibility parameters to ensure this critical support is provided quickly to workers across the Commonwealth.

 

Massachusetts residents will be eligible for first round payments if, based on filed 2020 Massachusetts tax returns, their income from employment was at least $12,750 – the equivalent to working 20 hours/week for 50 weeks at minimum wage as of 2020 – and their total income put them below 300% of the federal poverty level.

 

Individuals who received unemployment compensation in 2020 will not be eligible for the first round of payments, nor will Commonwealth executive branch employees who received or will receive a one-time payment from the state as their employer. Eligible individuals will receive the payment in the form of a check mailed to them. Checks will be mailed in batches in the coming days.

 

Click here for more information on eligibility.

 

For questions about eligibility, a dedicated call center is available at (866) 750-9803 and is open Monday through Friday, 9am - 4pm.

 

Click here to view answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).

 

The legislation creating the Premium Pay program included $500 million in total for low-income essential workers; this $460 million program comprises the majority of those funds, and $40 million was allocated to fund previous agreements with state employee unions. This first round of payments, worth $250 million, will be made based on 2020 returns. Following the 2021 tax filing season, the next round of payments will be made using information from 2021 returns.

 

Information on plans to disburse subsequent rounds of funds will be released in the future

"波士頓閃亮"邀20到35歲青少年參加

 MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2022-2023 SPARK BOSTON COUNCIL



The SPARK Boston Council empowers our City’s young leaders with civic education, professional development, and networking opportunities.

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced applications for the 2022-2023 SPARK Boston Council are now open and available online. Mayor Wu’s SPARK Boston Council is a volunteer leadership and civic engagement council made up of 20-35 year olds, charged with spearheading the City's efforts to engage Boston's young adult population. Applications are due Friday, May 13.

 

“SPARK Boston is critical to ensuring that the City connects with every resident and expands opportunities for young professionals to lead as we work to make Boston a city for everyone,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am thrilled that the applications for the 2022-2023 SPARK Boston are open and encourage every young adult interested in serving Boston to apply.”

 

Under the direction of the SPARK Boston Director, the 2022-2023 Council will create programming and advise Boston's leaders to help the city grow as an inviting, connected, culturally rich, and sustainable home for young adults. Throughout the SPARK Boston Council term, participants hear from key members of the Mayor's staff, leaders within City Hall, and community organizations about topics like climate resilience, education, housing, and civic innovation.

 

“I’m excited to launch our first recruitment cycle with Mayor Wu and reconnect with Boston’s young people in their neighborhoods after two years of predominantly virtual events,” said SPARK Boston Director Audrey Seraphin. “SPARK Boston has the power to create meaningful connections, opportunities, and policies, so I encourage anyone looking to get to know our City better to apply.”

 

Those looking to join the SPARK Boston Council can learn more about the program and application process by attending one of two Virtual Open Houses on either Tuesday, April 5 or Monday, May 9 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Those interested in attending can register at bit.ly/SPARKOpenHouse. Applicants can also reach out with questions to sparkboston@boston.gov. 

 

The 2021-2022 SPARK Council had the unique opportunity to serve under three mayors, and execute both virtual and in-person events, including Run Out the Vote, the Rooted in Boston series, the Allston-Brighton Renters’ Garden Contest, and the inaugural Begin in Boston program. The SPARK Council meets monthly, currently in a hybrid format, and must attend at least one external community meeting a month. Applicants must reside in Boston, and be willing to commit 15 hours monthly to the SPARK Boston program. SPARK Boston and its previous iteration ONEin3 have now been serving young adults and the City of Boston for almost 18 years. 

 

“It's been almost a year since I joined SPARK council, and I continue to be inspired and humbled by my fellow SPARK council members every time we meet,” said Caiti Zeytoonian, 2021-2022 SPARK Boston council member from South Boston. “Their commitment to making our city the best it can be gives me hope for Boston's future.” 

ABOUT SPARK BOSTON

Boston is home to a large and diverse 20-35 year old population. SPARK Boston (formerly ONEin3) is a City of Boston initiative that aims to empower Generation Z and millennial generation to play a greater role in planning for the future of our city. For more information and the full SPARK Boston recruitment schedule, please visit the Spark Boston website.

吳弭、Kim Janey、Anaya Pressley 聯袂再宣揚免費巴士

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)和聯邦眾議員Ayanna Pressley，錢任波士頓代市長Kim Janey
儼然3姊妹，互相扶持。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 和前任波士頓代市長Kim Janey，以及麻州聯邦眾議員普莉斯萊 (Ayanna Pressley) 在3月22日近午時分，聯袂搭乘23號巴士抵達瑞吉路易斯中心 (Reggie Lewis Center) ，藉以再次強調免費巴士服務對人們，學生的幫助。

               Kim Janey在位時，推出28號巴士免費搭乘半年的試驗計畫。吳弭當選波士頓市長後，以800萬元經費，擴大這一免費巴士行動，推出23，28，29等三條巴士線從3月1日起免費搭乘二年計畫。

               吳弭等三人在將近中午的11點半多搭乘從多徹斯特Ashmont車站開到洛士百利Ruggles車站的23號巴士。吳弭說車上乘客擁擠，可見需求很大。人們上車時，不必掏錢付車費，也可讓巴士運行更快，增加效率。她很高興這3條巴士路線免費，將容許人們上學，回家，接小孩的搭乘多次，都不需要擔心搭幾趟車，加起來費用會很貴，錢可以省下來買食物，付租金或買藥。             

出席璇船免費巴士的州州市政要及學生。

               這3條巴士路線可以免費二年是因為波士頓市政府動用聯邦紓困款，付了麻州地鐵公司 (MBTA) 800萬元車費。吳弭說，這只是個開始，波士頓市將繼續努力，希望將來波士頓市內每一條路線的巴士都可以免費搭乘。

               麻州聯邦眾議員普莉斯萊說，她正在和聯邦參議員Ed Markey合作，草擬一份50億元法案，要讓更多巴士免費運行，為人們提供交通、移動自由。

               波士頓市政府為半年前以試驗計劃方式推出，可免費搭乘的28號巴士，做了一份評估報告(https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2022/03/Route28_Report_FINAL.pdf) ， 指出28號巴士行經地區，多半是少數族裔居民或企業，日常交通仰賴巴士，自從推出免費搭乘計畫後，搭乘量增加了38%，有34%的乘客說搭車免費讓他們省了錢，約23%說平均每月可節省20元。在接受調查的人中，8%如果沒有免費巴士的話，她們會走路去要去的地方，5%會選擇開車。

               麻州眾議會已經有法案在研議，要求MBTA以及區域交通局設計長達一年的巴士免費搭乘計畫，但這法案目前還在交通委員會擱置中。

               與人合作起草該法案，代表尚莫維爾的民主黨籍麻州眾議員Christine Barber表示，這一計畫只在研究免費巴士服務的好處與開支。

               麻州眾議會交通委員會共同主席，代表麥特潘的William Straus卻稱巴士免費會讓人忽略了MBTA需要可觀金援。他說，重點需要放在如何擁有最好的營運系統。

               麻州屋斯特(Worcester)，美瑞麥谷(Merrimack Valley)，以及法蘭克林 (Franklin)的鐵路局 (TRA)都已經藉由試驗計畫，讓所有的巴士免費了。

               布魯克蘭鎮正在考慮動用120萬元的新冠紓困款，來為搭乘66號巴士，從劍橋市哈佛廣場到波士頓是Nubian廣場的人提供免費搭乘服務二年。劍橋市市長Sumbul Siddiqui最近也組織了一個工作小組，還指派市經理Burhan Azeem擔任主席，預定6月提交報告。

麻州推出"立即聘請"計畫 雇主每聘一人補助4000元

MA Governor Charlie Baker touting "HireNow" program. ( Photo by Chutze Chou)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 麻州查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 政府動用5000萬元來自美國援救計畫 (ARPA)經費，3月23日推出” 立即聘用 (HireNow)”計畫，將以每名員工4000元，每家公司最高可40萬元的補助額度，協助企業及非牟利機構解決近來招人難的問題。

                這一補助計畫採先到先得方式辦理，3月23日起開始受理申請，只要是設址麻州，無論是私營企業或是非牟利機構，都可申請。網址為www.mass.gov/hirenow。

              企業拿到的補助款可用於培訓員工，發簽約獎金給新員工等等。麻州政府希望藉此，協助企業更快的聘得人手，培訓新員工，讓更多人回到勞動市場。

MA Lt. Governor Karen Polito providing details of the"HireNow" program. (By Chutze Chou)

                 麻州州長查理貝克和副州長白莉朵(Karen Polito)，以及勞工及人力發展廳廳長Rosalin Acosta是3月23日這天，到位於劍橋市的非營利機構，為生物科學新創企業提供支援服務的”實驗室中心 (LabCentral)”，宣佈這一計畫，藉以強調，這一補助計畫也適用於非牟利機構，以及任何職務，不一定要是白領階級。

              麻州政府表示，根據勞工部統計數據最近的分析，和疫情爆發前相比，有8萬5000人未加入勞動市場。同時間，雇主的員工需求卻持續增加，以至於和疫情前相比，張貼出去的工作機會，有20%的招不到人。全麻州現有大約20萬個工作機會。

             麻州政府指出，政府正在藉由各種努力來協助企業解決這一問題，包括擴大介紹已運作中的學徒計畫，在職員工訓練計劃，以及職業技能計畫等等。

             Rosalin Acosta並指出，麻州區域機構將聘請名為”市場創造者 (Market Makers)”的新員工，來連結公司和培訓結業人員，居間協調的幫助雇主與求職者。麻州聘用 (MassHire)中心也會增加員工，直接和想要報名參加培訓項目，獲取更多技能的求職者聯繫。

            符合申請補助的聘僱為3月23日以後聘用，至少工作了60天，每星期至少工作30小時。受聘者的時薪必須在最低14.25元，最高42.5元之間。 

Baker-Polito Administration Launches “HireNow” Hiring and Training Employer Grant Program

$4,000/Employee Program Aims to Boost Hiring with Labor Force Participation Rates Still Lower than Pre-Pandemic

 

BOSTON 

– The Baker-Polito Administration today launched a new hiring and training employer grant program, “HireNow,” which will help employers quickly hire and train new workers and get more people back to work. The new program provides eligible employers with a $4,000 per employee grant, which can be used to cover training costs or as a signing bonus for new employees. By providing employers with these flexible funds to facilitate quick hiring, the Administration is focusing on addressing continued hiring challenges faced by employers and increasing labor force participation. Employers can learn more about the program and apply at www.mass.gov/hirenow.

Lab Central founder Johannes Fruehauf touting companies coming out from Lab Central
received more than 20% of VC funding nationwide. (By Chutze Chou)

The program is open to all Massachusetts employers, including both for-profit and non-profit entities (excluding federal, state, and municipal governments). Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta announced the launch of the program today at LabCentral, a Cambridge non-profit that provides support and working space for start-ups in the biotech and life sciences sectors. LabCentral plans to hire lab operations and other technical and administrative staff this year and will use funds from HireNow to support training costs.

“Our Administration is focused on supporting Massachusetts’ economic growth and getting more people back to work, and the HireNow program is one more tool at our disposal to meet employers’ workforce needs and grow our labor force,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The flexible funds from this program will be distributed to employers quickly to help them with training costs, tuition support and other needs. We are grateful to our partners in the Legislature for allocating the ARPA funds necessary to make this program happen.” 

“We know employers are ready to grow and expand by hiring new workers, and we’re excited to deploy flexible dollars as part of the HireNow program to jump-start those efforts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Massachusetts’s economic recovery from the pandemic is off and running, but we know there are still persistent workforce challenges that we must address. To boost our local economies, it is critical that we help both for-profit and non-profit employers meet their workforce needs and get more people back to work. We appreciate the partnership of the employer community as we developed this program and look forward to putting these funds to work alongside our existing, proven job-training programs.”

HireNow aims to address hiring challenges faced by employers that have been brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there are over 85,000 workers not participating in the labor market compared to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, employers’ need for workers has continued to increase, with unfilled job postings up 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels and approximately 200,000 open jobs available across the Commonwealth.

The Administration is focused on addressing these challenges through a variety of efforts, including by expanding access and awareness to its existing apprenticeships, incumbent worker training programs, the Career Technical Initiative and more. 

Local MassHire Workforce Boards are also expanding resources to match employers and workers with training programs, and regions are hiring new staff members to serve as regional “Market Makers” to connect companies to graduates of new education and training programs starting up in their areas funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.  These staff members will be regional points of contact to help match employers’ needs with both job-seekers and the skill-building programs needed to successfully fill open jobs.  In addition, MassHire Centers are adding staff to work directly with job seekers who want to enroll in new training programs to gain more skills. 

The HireNow program will build on these efforts by providing resources directly to employers that make it possible to immediately hire new employees and provide them with necessary training to fill open roles. The program will be supported by $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

 

"We are excited to add HireNow to our growing number of grant programs that aim to close job and equity gaps across the Commonwealth," said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. "We hope these funds will encourage employers to expand their hiring strategy to include those with potential for learning and growing on the job, over a direct-skills match, as this will widen the candidate pool and help both jobseekers and businesses."

 

“Getting people back to work is a key element of our strategy for economic recovery and the ‘HireNow’ program allows us double down on these efforts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “I look forward to this program’s success not just in enhancing access to employment opportunities, but accelerating it.”

 

“HireNow will be an excellent complement to the Career Technical Initiative we launched two years ago which expands access to high-quality vocational programs for high school students and adults by creating three shifts, one during the regular school day for vocational students, one in the afternoons for students enrolled in their local high school, and one in the evening for adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Employers will be able to recruit students from CTI programs, and use the HireNow grants to offer deeper training for their employees.”

 

Program Details:

• Employer Eligibility: Any Massachusetts employer who is in good standing with Department of Unemployment Assistance and Department of Revenue obligations and is not de-barred by the state is eligible (excluding federal, state, and municipal governments). Applications must be submitted by the employer, not an education or training partner.
• Application Process: Employers must pre-register online at Mass.Gov/HireNow by providing employer information. Following the employee’s hire and 60-day retention period, employers will submit a final application for funding. The Commonwealth will also approve the planned use of the funds (training costs, signing bonus, etc.) when approving the application.
• Eligible Hires: Hires must be made after March 23, 2022, be retained for a minimum of 60 days, and be placed in jobs that are at least 30 hours per week.  New hires need to be Massachusetts residents employed in Massachusetts.  There are also limits on compensation:
• Minimum eligible compensation: $14.25 / hr (minimum wage)
• Maximum eligible compensation: $42.50 / hr (~$85K annualized)
• Funding: up to $4,000 for each eligible employee hired, with a limit of $400,000 per employer. Funds will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

麻州州長候選人陳翟蘇妮 (Sonia Chang Diaz)宣佈 25名州市議員支持

 25 more Massachusetts elected officials back Sonia Chang-Díaz for Governor 

Chang-Díaz now counts support from 80 elected officials across the state

Sonia Chang-Díaz Talks with Governor Charlie Baker at the St. Patrick Day Breakfast.
(Photo by Chutze Chou)

 BOSTON, MA - State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz announced 25 new endorsements from state and local elected officials in her campaign for Massachusetts Governor today. The new slate expands the campaign’s coalition of endorsers to a total of 80 elected officials, including state lawmakers, city councilors, and school committee members spanning across the Commonwealth. 

Chang-Díaz has also earned endorsements from racial justice leaders throughout the state, the national progressive group People’s Action, and statewide grassroots organizations Progressive Mass and Neighbor to Neighbor, which have thousands of members in chapters across Massachusetts.

“Sonia’s building a winning coalition for working people across Massachusetts — and we’re building momentum all across the state,” said Joshua Wolfsun, Chang-Díaz’s Campaign Manager. “Sonia has been excited to show up on the campaign trail all across our state and throughout her career, she’s been proud to partner with local leaders and community groups to take on tough fights on Beacon Hill, even when it was politically hard. It’s clear what she stands for, and these leaders know she’ll deliver bold, transformational change as Governor.”

The new endorsers say they’re backing Chang-Díaz for her work on Beacon Hill to win progressive change with an eye towards equity and for her willingness to engage her campaign across the state.

“Sonia has the bold vision we need in Massachusetts’ next Governor. Her state-level Green New Deal plan will combat climate change while creating clean green jobs and her education platform will deliver debt-free education and universal child care,” Steve Owens, State Representative, 29th Middlesex. “Sonia will continue to address our state’s most urgent issues head on. I’m proud to endorse her, and I look forward to fighting alongside her for the change working people need.”

"I strongly endorse Sonia Chang-Diaz for Governor. She is a terrific listener, deeply concerned for the needs of Attleboro and all the rest of our Bay State cities and towns,” said Ty Waterman, Attleboro City Councilor. “She is particularly sensitive to the educational deficits of cities like Attleboro, ready to redirect the state funding formula to help our neediest communities, and work tirelessly so all of our citizens, including children and seniors, are given every chance to succeed in life."

“Sonia has been delivering for our youth and working people on Beacon Hill for over a decade. She’s who we need as our next Governor to tackle housing, transportation, public health, the climate crisis, and racial equity,” said Himaja Najireddy, Acton Select Board Member. “I’m thrilled to endorse her as Massachusetts’ next Governor.”

The slate of new endorsers includes:

· Steve Owens, State Representative, 29th Middlesex

· Coco Alinsug, Lynn City Councilor

· Shane Burgo, New Bedford City Councilor

· Caroline Bays, Watertown City Councilor

· Kyra Cook, Acton Select Board Member

· Maria De la Cruz, Lawrence City Councilor

· Ben Ewen-Campen, Somerville City Councilor

· Paul Glavey, Littleton Select Board Member

· Tristan LaLiberte, Auburn Select Board Member

· Enio Lopez, Chelsea City Councilor 

· Himaja Najireddy, Acton Select Board Member

· Tony Palomba, Watertown City Councilor

· JT Scott, Somerville City Councilor

· Damali Vidot, Chelsea City Councilor

· Ty Waterman, Attleboro City Councilor 

· Ryan Williams, Melrose City Councilor

· Jake Wilson, Somerville City Councilor 

· Kelly Cobb-Lemire, Braintree School Committee Member

· Tiffany Magnolia, Lynn School Committee Member 

· Joyce Reischutz, Shirley School Committee Member

· Lenin Roa, Lawrence School Committee Member

· Tony Rodrigues, Brockton School Committee Member

· Emily Serafy-Cox, Northampton School Committee Member

· Vicky Smith, Pittsfield School Committee Member

Denise Spencer, Franklin School Committee Member

麻州州長候選人Maura Healey 宣佈已收集到1萬個簽名 確定將名列選票

麻州總檢察長Maura Healey (右)日前應邀出席聖派翠克日早餐會。(周菊子攝，檔案照片)

              (Boston Orange) 麻州州長候選人，也是現任麻州總檢察長奚莉 (Maura Healey)已收集到名列選票所需的1萬個麻州居民簽名。

            犀利的競選陣營今 (23) 日宣佈，競選團隊的100個志願協調員，數百名義工，從麻州所有的14個郡縣收集到這些打破名列選票門檻的簽名。該競選團隊將繼續收集簽名，以確保得到認證的簽名數量遠超門檻所需。

              奚莉表示，達到這一里程碑，象徵了義工們的決心與能量，他非常感謝每一名義工為競選所做的付出，他將持續努力，收集簽名，招募參加6月份麻州民主黨大會的代表，爭取每一張選票。

              宣佈參選僅2個月，奚莉已得到包括7個勞工工會等許多人支持。奚莉在本週稍早的時候聘請Jason Burrell擔任競選經理。

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈設立 LGBTQ +辦公室 (Video)

 MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES MAYOR’S OFFICE OF LGBTQ+ ADVANCEMENT

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the creation of the Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement. The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement is tasked with empowering, protecting and promoting the rights, dignity, and advancement of Boston’s LGBTQ+ residents. This office will be responsible for developing policy, community oriented programming, and providing resources for the city’s multiracial, multigenerational, multicultural and multilingual LGBTQ+ community.

Previously, this work was led by various LGBTQ+ Liaisons who served in the Office of Neighborhood Services to share resources and deliver City services to Boston's LGBTQ+ community. The Wu administration is excited to scale this work and continue to prioritize the needs of  LGBTQ+ residents.

“City Hall can do much more to ensure that we are truly connecting with and serving LGBTQ+ residents across all of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This new office will ensure that our policies and programs are advancing and protecting the rights and dignity of Boston’s LGBTQ+ residents and centering the lived experiences of queer, trans BIPOC residents in the City’s work to make Boston a place for everyone.”

The City 

will be hiring an Executive Director for the new Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement to lead this work in the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet led by Chief Solis Cervera. This office will partner with other City departments and community organizations to ensure we close opportunity gaps for our LGBTQ+ residents. 

“As a queer first generation Latina, I’m honored to stand on the shoulders of and next to people who have given so much and continue to give to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion. “I look forward to working in partnership with the Executive Director and Mayor Wu to eliminate barriers to access, amplify the work of community leaders, and create new opportunities for the LGBTQ+ family.”

"I am delighted and greatly appreciative for the establishment of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement as we work toward ensuring the City is a more affirming, equitable, and welcoming place for all," said City Councilor Liz Breadon, the first openly gay woman elected to the City Council. "The interdisciplinary work of ensuring each and every City department, office, and program serves the targeted needs of LGBTQ+ community members, particularly Black and Brown transgender and non-binary residents, is essential. I am appreciative of the commitment of the Mayor's Office and the Neighborhood Services LGBTQ+ Liaison in spearheading this initiative, and I look forward to working closely with the Office and its director."

“The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement is an encouraging step in ensuring that Boston is an inclusive city committed to centering voices of those historically excluded,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, Chair of the Council's Committee on Civil Rights. “As a city, we have a responsibility to break down the systemic barriers that have created inequities at every level, and as the chair of the Civil Rights Committee, I am looking forward to continue working with the Mayor’s office to ensure that our LGBTQ+ residents are supported in this work.”

“We at Club Cafe are honored to be an important, safe and affirming business serving the LGBTQ+ Community for over 38 years,” said James Morgrage, Owner and General Manager at Club Cafe. “We have seen the loss of so many other safe and affirming spaces over the years and know all too well of the need for more in this incredible city.  We are excited to pledge our support for this important office.”

"Mayor Wu has long been a strong ally and champion in advocating for the needs of LGBTQ communities in Boston, and so BAGLY is thrilled that she is establishing this new Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement within her administration,” said Grace Sterling Stowell, Executive Director, BAGLY.  “We thank Mayor Wu for her leadership, and look forward to working with her team to ensure that Boston is a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ youth, adults, and elders of all of our communities!"

"There is still much work to be done to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Health inequities, disproportionate impacts on BIPOC LGBTQ+ people, persistent challenges facing youth and elders, and a host of systemic barriers that require focus and attention at the city level,” said Adrianna Boulin, Director of Community Impact & Engagement at Fenway Health. “We applaud Mayor Wu for recognizing this and elevating our communities' concerns through the creation of the Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement and look forward to working closely with the office and the Wu administration."

 

“We welcome the announcement of the Inaugural Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement as a demonstration of Mayor Wu’s commitment to ensuring equity and dignity for all Boston residents. LGBTQ+ people are a part of every community in the city,” said Janson Wu, Executive Director, GLTBQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. “We look forward to the Mayor’s partnership in the continuing work toward a Boston that is welcoming to all, free from discrimination, and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Mayor Michelle Wu has been a consistent and equitable champion for LGBTQ+ rights through uplifting the work of critical LGBTQ+ organizations and ensuring that Boston is a city for everyone. In 2020, then-City Councilor Wu and City Councilor Liz Breadon proposed and led the adoption of an ordinance to ensure gender inclusivity on all City-issued forms, documents, and certificates. In 2014, then-City Councilor Wu, along with then-City Councilor Ayanna Pressley proposed and led the adoption of an ordinance to guarantee comprehensive health care for all municipal workers and their dependents regardless of gender identity or expression. This ordinance allowed for City staff, in particular Trans and non-binary staff and their dependents, to access gender affirming healthcare, gender reassignment surgery, hormone therapy, and mental health services to fall under the city’s healthcare plan. 

As the City seeks to hire an Executive Director for the new Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement, this role will be charged with building upon this work and ensuring that the needs of this community are prioritized in the Wu Administration’s equity agenda