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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Why should people move to Massachusetts? Healey adds LGBTQ+ rights to the list
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The rainbow flag will be raised outside the Massachusetts State House this morning in recognition of Pride Month — and Gov. Maura Healey is adding LGBTQ+ rights to her list of selling points for the Bay State.
Healey told reporters this week that Saturday’s Pride parade is a “particularly special one to be marching in.” Not only is it Boston’s first Pride parade since 2019, but the country’s first openly lesbian governor sees it as an opportunity to showcase the state’s progressive record on LGBTQ+ rights at a time when some states are “going backwards, taking away equality, taking away freedoms, demonizing members of the LGBTQ+ community.” (Healey was referring to efforts to restrict drag shows, books and gender-affirming care in some Republican-led states.) “We are a state that prizes equality, protects freedoms, protects civil rights, protects the LGBTQ+ community,” Healey said, urging people to “come to Massachusetts” for those protections.
- The big picture: The first five months of Healey’s tenure has focused a lot on “competitiveness” as Massachusetts deals with a net outflow of residents. That focus has primarily centered on tax relief. But it’s also extended to social issues like abortion rights.
- On the books: Massachusetts passed a law in 2022 under Gov. Charlie Baker to protect gender-affirming care for transgender residents. Five other states have passed similar laws this year.
- Does it matter? Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, a national poll found 62% of young women — and 53% of young men — said states’ individual abortion laws at least “somewhat” influence where they choose to live. However, there’s been less recent research on how LGBTQ+ rights play a factor. As of last year, census data indicates jobs remain the primary reason for Americans making long-distance moves, with housing costs coming in second.
- When it comes to retention of residents already here: Local polls suggest housing costs and transportation are more top of mind for Massachusetts residents considering moving.
- On the march: Meet the new organizers of Boston’s Pride parade, who are promising a more inclusive event this year after the previous group behind the parade folded amid allegations of racism and transphobia.
- In related news: Boston City Council President Flynn is filing a resolution today to officially mark June as Pride Month in Boston.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was a passenger in a scary two-car collision yesterday in Roslindale, but city officials say “thankfully no one sustained any major injuries.”
- Video obtained by Boston 25 News shows a police SUV carrying Wu with its lights on making a left turn off Blakemore Street onto Hyde Park Avenue when the crash happened. Boston police plan to investigate the incident, Wu’s office said.
State officials will let pharmacists provide former patients of the suddenly-closed Compass Medical with up to 30 days worth of certain medications (even if they don’t have remaining refills on their prescription).
- The Quincy-based medical practice filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy this week, after leaders said they plan to keep operating “collapsed.” The practice, which has 70,000 patients, is now facing a class-action lawsuit.
The race is on in District 5: Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo is facing a challenge from a member of Wu’s administration. Enrique Pepén, the city’s executive director of neighborhood services, officially filed to run for the District 5 seat yesterday, pledging “leadership that puts people first.”
- Go deeper: Arroyo faced scrutiny last month after an investigation showed he got help from former U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins during his bid for Suffolk County DA. The Dorchester Reporter has more on the findings and the emerging District 5 field.
- Save the date: Boston’s preliminary election is Sept. 12.
Name a more iconic duo: The beer garden at Boston City Hall is reopening today — and this time it will be a collaborative effort between two local breweries. The D&D Beer Garden will be run by co-operated by nearby Democracy Brewing and Roslindale’s Distraction Brewing, with 12 tap lines pouring beers from both breweries.
- Check out the menu: Boston.com has the beer list here. (There’ll also be sandwiches and ice cream from Jimmies Cafe.)
- Hours: To start, D&D Beer Garden will be open in the evenings Tuesday through Friday, and all day on the weekend. However, city officials plan to expand those hours later this month.
- Read the fine print: The contract will last until at least Dec. 31, 2024 so they’ll be there next summer, too.
P.S.— We’re entering ice cream season, but how exactly unhealthy is that scoop of cookie dough? Maybe not as bad as you think. Check out WBUR health and science reporter Gabrielle Emanuel’s interview with nutrition expert Dariush Mozaffarian about the latest research on the health of ice cream and other dairy products.
