Thu Nguyen, the first openly nonbinary elected person in Massachusetts, says they’re taking a monthlong hiatus from Worcester City Council due to what they say is a discriminatory and toxic culture on the council.
In a statement Wednesday, Nguyen said they’ve experienced transphobia from fellow councilors since assuming their post in 2022. They said Mayor Joe Petty and Councilor Kate Toomey have misgendered them, and Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson has referred to them as “it” multiple times.
Nguyen said they’ve requested Worcester’s chief equity officer open an immediate investigation into the matter.
“These hateful acts are unbecoming of a legislative body whose duty is to serve our communities and to honor and enforce anti-discrimination laws,” Nguyen said. “We deserve a government that is welcoming, embraces and takes pride in our LGBTQ+ community.”
The announcement follows Tuesday night’s city council meeting during which Nguyen said they often attend council meetings via Zoom because they feel unsafe around the council body. The comment came in response to an order by Petty asking for a review of remote participation by public officials during meetings.
In a statement, Petty acknowledged that he once used an incorrect pronoun when referring to Nguyen, but later apologized for the mistake. He also stressed the importance of in-person attendance at meetings and said Nguyen’s absence — including from some of the Traffic and Parking subcommittee meetings for which they chair — is “unacceptable” for a public official.
In response to Nguyen’s allegations, Toomey wrote on X that she may have made “honest errors” in addressing Nguyen, but there has never been any intentional or consistent misgendering.
Mero-Carlson said in a statement that she doesn’t recall saying anything in question, but emotional conversations have taken place between her and Nguyen. Mero-Carlson added that Nguyen’s allegations are for political gain.
Nguyen said stepping away from City Council for a month will allow them to prioritize their mental and emotional safety and “forge a path to address this matter.”
“Many turn to Massachusetts, one of the progressive LGTBQ+ supporting states, as a safe haven,” Nguyen said. “And yet here in Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts and New England, our commitment and safety is tainted by government leadership that does not hold the same values and care for the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ community members.”
Nguyen has recently engaged in contentious conversations with some fellow councilors over a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the findings of a Justice Department investigation into Worcester police. Previously, Nguyen received criticism on social media for statements they made to GBH News about long, chaotic city council meetings .
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj said in a statement that she condemned the atmosphere of derision and hate on council. Haxhiaj asked that councilors who have misgendered Nguyen publicly apologize.
“City Councilors frequently proclaim that Hate Has No Home in Worcester,” Haxhiaj said. “I agree. Hate should have no place in City Hall and in the Worcester City Council, either.”
