WORCESTER—At a rally inside City Hall supporters of Council Member Thu Nguyen urged other supporters to demand the apology to Nguyen that the council voted on the prior week, and to support the city’s allocation of $500,000 for a Queer and Trans Resilience Fund, dedicated to addressing the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Nguyen announced a hiatus from city council last month, citing discrimination and transphobia among the reasons for the leave of absence.
Another agenda item also asked the council to request that City Manager Eric Batista commit to working with a coalition of Worcester-based and regional LGBTQIA+ organizations to create an action plan around safety concerns about transphobia and discrimination.
One of the organizers, Joshua Croke, who runs the organization Love Your Labels, said the goals of the rally and speakers at the meeting include that the council back up their words with money and action.
“What we really are facing right now,” said Croke, “with the varied councilors’ response to the accusations of transphobia, the culture of the city council and by way of the city council the larger city government, is that it has been easier for folks to scapegoat our community by showing up at Pride events, saying they support LGBTQIA+ people, but when it comes to putting pen on paper, enforcing policies declaring unequivocally that hate has no home in Worcester, and then tying that to actual funding and resourcing, that’s where we see a disparity.”
Resident Noah Rose, who proposed both items, said the council members can be proud of what they’ve accomplished over the years, but now is the time to protect transgender and queer people.
“Now is the time for you to do something of great impact and meaning for our queer community,” Rose said. “You say that you want us all to move on and heal. Well, we are here tonight to give you that opportunity. We cannot deny that hate and extremism are on the rise in our country. However, if we deny that we have ever hated, we are running in circles.”
An opportunity and invitation to apply power and influence
Ali Kane works at the Family Health Center of Worcester, and provides instruction on inclusivity training, implicit bias, and psychological safety for a multitude of companies and organizations, including the U.S. military.
Kane said that with the current federal administration, allies are needed more than ever.
“You all have the opportunity to use your power and influence to condemn transphobia,” Kane said. “Not just in Councilor Nguyen’s experience, but how the lackluster apologies that some people on this council have given have emboldened other community members to disrespect and dehumanize the entire queer community as a result. I call upon the city manager, mayor and council to consider how you would like to demonstrate your authentic ally-ship, with the queer community with the petitions put forward tonight.”
Resident Anne Bureau said inclusiveness and respect for one another have always defined the Worcester community.
“We all deal with unconscious biases, and some may intentionally, and some inadvertently, make insensitive remarks, but we can’t let our errors go,” Bureau said. “For members of the LGBTQIA community, who struggle with prejudice and fear every day, these are huge. We all make mistakes but it’s how we respond that defines us. We need to stick together to make sure everyone feels valued loved and respected.”
Getting the message
Sadie Lombardi didn’t hold back when addressing the council.
“The important thing about your gender identity is that it’s yours and yours alone,” they said. “Regardless of Councilor Nguyen’s gender identity, the disrespect shown by councilor Candy Mero-Carlson, Mayor Joseph Petty and Councilor Kathleen Toomey is an act of de-humanization. I take great pride in this city and I am ashamed that these people represent Worcester.”
“The use of the word ‘it’ is a slur,” resident Janet Davis said. “We voted on a formal apology. It was voted on last week, and we’re still waiting.”
“It doesn’t seem like our councilors are listening and speaking on behalf of us,” Wilson said.
But the council did seem to get the message.
Council member Jenny Pacillo said that residents want the council to do better and learn.
“If there is a way to add some type of educational resources where we as city council,” Pacillo said, “or as a city to really make a concrete plan to learn more about bias and respecting others, and just learning how to be better.”
Council members Donna Colorio and Morris Bergman wanted an amendment to change the word “commit” to “consider,” but that amendment failed.
“I get it. I get it loud and clear,” said council member George Russell, “and I think my councilors get it loud and clear. When we have a president of the United States that [sic] signs an executive order that says basically that non-binary people don’t exist, I for one will stand and fight that, and I know every member of the council will, too.
“It’s a shame that, in Washington, we have a government that’s trying to divide us and not recognize what people are all about. In the city of Worcester, we’re not going to allow that to happen. We’re going to stick up for people’s rights and responsibilities.”
The votes to work with the commission passed unanimously. The vote to allocate $500,000 for a Queer and Trans Resilience Fund also passed, with Colorio as the only dissenting vote.
Steve Smith is a veteran reporter from Connecticut with 17 years of experience at The Hartford Courant. Now based in Worcester, he brings his passion for photojournalism to his work and spends much of his free time behind the camera. An award-winning photographer, Steve has covered major events including U.S. Men’s and Women’s Soccer, pro football, UCONN Huskies basketball, and the Miss America competition. He also serves as the official photographer for the Miss Massachusetts competition. In addition to journalism, Steve is a realtor, helping families find their perfect homes. He can be reached at steve@stevephotographysmith.com
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