WORCESTER—Off the heels of a tense exchange during the Worcester City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Councilor at-Large Thu Nguyen announced Wednesday that they are taking a month-long hiatus to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being, citing experiences of transphobia and what they described as a discriminatory and toxic council culture.
This decision follows a heated City Council meeting on Tuesday during which Nguyen detailed the challenges they have faced during their tenure.
In a statement released Wednesday, Nguyen said they filed a formal complaint with the city’s Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion regarding incidents of transphobia, including being misgendered on the council floor by Mayor Joseph Petty and Councilor At-Large Kate Toomey, and allegations that District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson had referred to them as “it” on multiple occasions.
“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 in their statement. They called for an immediate investigation and action plan to address the issue, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic change.
Nguyen’s statement also highlighted broader concerns about the rising discrimination and physical threats faced by LGBTQ+ individuals across the nation, particularly under the current political climate. “Many turn to Massachusetts, one of the progressive LGBTQ+ supporting states, as a safe haven, and yet here in Worcester… 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,” Nguyen said. They called on the community to advocate for structural change and send a clear message that hate has no place in Worcester.
Nguyen’s hiatus comes after a tense discussion at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, during which members debated rules of decorum in council chambers. Nguyen criticized the mayor’s leadership, stating, “Under your leadership, I have felt unsafe around this council body. I have faced transphobia, being misgendered, and I recently learned that I have been dehumanized to a point where I’m being referred to as ‘it.’” They also noted that these experiences have contributed to their decision to attend some meetings remotely, a practice they defended as adhering to all current rules.
City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson responded Wednesday afternoon with a statement defending her record and denying the claims made by Nguyen.
“Throughout my career as an activist, a member of the Democratic State Committee, a former chair of the Worcester Democratic City Committee, and a dedicated public servant, I have worked tirelessly to champion equal rights and advance LGBTQ+ policies,” Mero-Carlson said, adding that she has always strived to foster a community where all residents feel safe and valued.
While she stated she does not recall making the comments Nguyen referenced, she acknowledged it had been a “challenging and emotional week” and emphasized that the accusations misrepresent her character and values. Mero-Carlson also criticized Nguyen’s approach to public service, calling it divisive and accusing them of prioritizing political agendas over the city’s pressing needs.
She highlighted her near-perfect attendance record and commitment to showing up for her community as evidence of her dedication, contrasting it with what she described as Nguyen’s low attendance and focus on “sowing chaos and division.” Mero-Carlson concluded by reaffirming her commitment to progress and unity, stating, “Worcester residents deserve leadership that rises above small-minded politics.”
Toomey responded to Nguyen’s statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, acknowledging that she had misgendered Nguyen early in their term but emphasized that it was an honest mistake for which she apologized. “There has never been any intentional or consistent misgendering,” Toomey wrote. She added that she has been mindful to address Nguyen respectfully over the past three years, no differently than she does with other colleagues.
Petty also addressed the concerns raised by Nguyen in a statement. “During my 13 years as mayor, I have always tried to treat every councilor with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Petty said, adding that he would “never knowingly say anything harmful” and that everyone deserves to have their identity honored.
Petty acknowledged a moment in 2022 when he mistakenly used an incorrect pronoun for Nguyen during a City Council meeting, noting that he immediately corrected the mistake and apologized. He expressed pride in leading a city that values diversity and inclusion and affirmed his commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all councilors.
Petty also addressed concerns about council attendance, pointing out that Nguyen had missed half of the Traffic and Parking subcommittee meetings and had yet to hold a meeting for the Public Service and Transportation subcommittee, which they chair.
“Being available, accessible, and engaged is a fundamental expectation of our roles, and it is critical to the success of the city,” Petty said. He emphasized the importance of in-person participation in council and subcommittee meetings as part of fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to public officials.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, Petty reiterated his support for ensuring safety during public meetings and pledged to work with the city administration and Worcester Police Department to address those concerns. “We are in a time of uncertainty, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community face real fears and challenges in simply being their authentic selves,” he said. “I hear these concerns, and I remain committed to being an ally and advocate for every member of our community.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj supported Nguyen’s call for addressing the council’s culture, noting that improving decorum could have broader implications, especially for encouraging individuals from marginalized identities to seek public office.
Haxhiaj released a statement on Wednesday afternoon and criticized what she described as the “violent and hateful language” allegedly used by Mero-Carlson against Nguyen. Haxhiaj stated, “Councilor Mero-Carlson claims respect for the LGBTQ+ community, but we are finding outside the public eye the councilor uses dehumanizing and hateful language against Worcester’s first nonbinary city councilor.”
Haxhiaj called on her colleagues to condemn what she characterized as a toxic and discriminatory culture within City Hall and emphasized that elected officials should be held to higher standards of conduct. She noted the frequent calls for stricter rules of decorum in the Council chamber but pointed out that the treatment Nguyen has endured stands in stark contrast to those principles. “Misgendering anyone as a weapon is unacceptable human behavior,” she said, adding that the ongoing disrespect for Nguyen’s gender identity must end.
She urged her colleagues, including Petty and Toomey, to publicly apologize for misgendering Nguyen, and she called for accountability for Mero-Carlson. “Worcester’s LGBTQ+ community members deserve leaders who support them when they’re attacked,” Haxhiaj said. “And Worcester residents deserve to see genuine decency and real decorum.” Haxhiaj reaffirmed the oft-stated slogan that “Hate Has No Home in Worcester” and concluded by saying, “Hate should have no place in City Hall and in the Worcester City Council, either.”
Nguyen closed their statement by urging the Worcester community to advocate for systemic change, stating, “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.”
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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