First non-binary elected in Massachusetts announces hiatus, files complaint, alleging transphobia and discriminatory and toxic culture

Worcester City Councilor At-Large Thu Nguyen has announced a hiatus due to alleged transphobia and discriminatory and toxic council culture.

Nguyen issued a letter which reads as follows:

“It is unfortunate, as we transition under a Trump administration and exponential increase of fear experienced by the LGBTQ+ community that I, as a City Councilor At-Large of Worcester, had to file a complaint to our Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion about my experience in the past 3 years of dealing with transphobia and a discriminatory and toxic council culture, being misgendered by Mayor Petty and Councilor At-Large Toomey publicly on the council floor and recently learning that District 2 Councilor Mero-Carlson has been referring to me as “it” multiple times. I have formally requested for the City of Worcester’s Chief Equity Officer to open an immediate investigation and create an action plan to address this 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. My filing of a complaint’s aim is to hold electeds accountable to moral and legal standards during a vulnerable time of crisis for the LGBTQ+ community.

“LGBTQ+ folks are facing more physical threats, violence and hate all over the nation. The Trevor Project reported an overall volume increase of nearly 700% on Nov 6 after Trump’s election compared to the weeks prior. Many in our community are seeking to move to safer states, expressing worries for the possibility of gender affirming care and same-sex marriage being revoked and frightened to lose fundamental civil rights because of who we are. This is all in addition to the tragic reality of having anti-trans bills pushed throughout the nation in recent years and the mass shootings and murders targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

“Many turn to Massachusetts, one of the progressive LGBTQ+ supporting states as a safe haven, 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 the LGBTQ+ community members. I ask electeds and officials in our commonwealth and nationally to not dismiss and ignore the severity and harm that this has on our community, and I urge you all to speak out against it. I understand the complexity and limitations of our City of Worcester’s administration’s ability to act on these discoveries. Therefore, it is only in the hands of the community where justice and accountability can be done. I ask that if you care about me and the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for real systemic and structural change in leadership and send a clear message that hate has no place here in Worcester especially in the elected body.

“I am also sad to announce I will be taking a month to prioritize my mental and emotional safety as well as utilizing this time to forge a path to address this matter. I will need your support in holding Worcester to a moral and legal standard, but truly, that feels like the bare minimum. We deserve a government that is welcoming, embraces and takes pride in our LGBTQ+ community. As the first nonbinary elected in Massachusetts, I have always said for me it’s not just about identity politics. Making history as the first is one thing, what you do with it is another. I hope by speaking up against transphobia and hate, many of you will join me in pushing for a political reimagination of a government that holistically cares and serves everyone which rightfully includes the LGBTQ+ community.”

Best, Thu Nguyen

Councilor Kate Toomey issued a response on social media following Nguyen’s statement.

“With regard to Councilor Ngyuen’s statement, early on when the Councilor was elected, I did make an honest error in addressing the councilor and may have done so a few times, for which I apologized.  There has never been any intentional or consistent misgendering. I have been mindful to address the Councilor respectfully in the manner in which they identify over the past three years no differently or less respectfully than I address any of our colleagues.”