Mayor Michelle Wu has announced new initiatives from the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement to support Boston’s LGBTQ+ residents ahead of the city’s annual Pride parade. The office has allocated $125,000 for the Family & Individual Legal Support Grant to expand free legal services, as per the City of Boston release.
The initiatives include the launch of a 90+ member LGBTQ+ Partner Network, a public resource directory, and a discrimination guidebook, created in partnership with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and Northeastern University. City Councilors Liz Breadon and Henry Santana emphasized the importance of these efforts in providing support and access to justice for the LGBTQ+ community.
The legal support grants have been awarded to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and Greater Boston Legal Services to help LGBTQ+ residents navigate legal challenges. GLAD reported a 47% increase in requests for help with family protection, healthcare, and discrimination since November.
The Partner Network aims to strengthen collaboration among LGBTQ+ organizations. According to the release, Boston City Hall is hosting art exhibitions like “Ways of Making People Disappear” by local photographer Michelle Shapiro, focusing on the safety of queer and trans individuals.
