Worcester’s city council on Tuesday formally apologized to Councilor Thu Nguyen for the harm they’ve experienced on the job.
Last week, Nguyen announced they’re taking a monthlong hiatus because they feel dehumanized as a councilor. Nguyen, the first openly nonbinary person elected to a government position in Massachusetts, said multiple councilors have misgendered them and even referred to them as “it.”
Nguyen’s statement and the response to it from Mayor Joseph Petty and other councilors have fueled outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates across Worcester. During the public comment period at Tuesday’s council meeting, supporters of the city’s trans and queer communities spent nearly two hours rebuking councilors for not taking Nguyen’s allegations seriously enough.
“To see an elected body be silent on these issues is shameful,” said Joshua Croke, president of the local LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Love Your Labels.
Danielle Killay added that Worcester leaders need to be especially inclusive right now as the Trump administration cuts rights for queer and transgender people. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order saying the federal government will only recognize male and female as genders. He’s also ended federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives .
“My second grader can give you some tips on how to speak to people,” Killay told councilors. “Adults that can’t take accountability for themselves and don’t set aside their self-interest don’t belong in power.”
Nguyen’s decision to step away from council for a month followed an order by Petty asking for a review of remote participation by public officials during meetings. Nguyen had previously said they often attend meetings via Zoom because they feel unsafe around the council.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Petty said he was committed to making the council safe and welcoming. He noted that his desire to end remote participation was never meant to hurt Nguyen.
“I really believe that meetings do not run well when elected officials participate remotely,” Petty said. “I maintain that hate has no home in the city of Worcester.”
Councilors discussed multiple ways to respond to Nguyen’s experiences and the public comments.
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj proposed a resolution condemning any expressions of transphobia in Worcester and nationwide, which passed unanimously.
But the order issuing a public apology to Nguyen initially met resistance. Councilor George Russell said he wouldn’t support it because he’s never harmed Nguyen. And Morris Bergman said the public apology could potentially subject Worcester to litigation since an outside investigator contracted by the city is looking into Nguyen’s experiences.
But councilor Luis Ojeda said the apology was critical and convinced Russell to join a majority of councilors backing it.
“In order for us to heal, we have to accept where we go wrong individually and to be able to help others,” Ojeda said. “It’s more of supporting one of our fellow colleagues in a time of need.”
