WORCESTER—City Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen, Worcester’s first nonbinary elected official, has announced that they will not seek re-election. The announcement comes after months of controversy and heated debates surrounding allegations of discrimination and transphobia within the Worcester City Council.
Nguyen shared the news in a social media post promoting an upcoming event celebrating Worcester’s recent designation as a sanctuary city for queer, trans, and gender-diverse individuals. The March 26 event, which coincides with Nguyen’s birthday, also serves as a fundraiser and signature-gathering effort for candidates who have supported the LGBTQ+ community.
The decision follows a tumultuous period in Nguyen’s tenure. In January, they took a month-long hiatus from council duties, citing the need to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being in response to what they described as a discriminatory and toxic council culture.
Nguyen filed a formal complaint with the city’s Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, alleging instances of transphobia, including being misgendered by Mayor Joseph Petty and Councilor-at-Large Kate Toomey, as well as claims that District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson had referred to them using a derogatory term.
“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 at the time. They called for a formal investigation into the alleged incidents and emphasized the need for systemic change within the council.
Nguyen’s hiatus sparked weeks of public outcry, with packed council meetings and extensive public comment sessions from both supporters and critics. The controversy played a role in the city council’s eventual decision to designate Worcester as a sanctuary city for transgender individuals, a measure that Nguyen and their allies championed.
Upon their return to the council in February, Nguyen continued to push for accountability, criticizing council leadership, the city clerk, and the city manager for what they described as failures to address discrimination. Alongside Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, Nguyen advocated for an independent investigation into the allegations against Mero-Carlson, which has yet to materialize.
In response to Nguyen’s claims, Mero-Carlson denied using dehumanizing language and defended her record of supporting LGBTQ+ policies. She, along with Toomey and Petty, acknowledged past missteps in addressing Nguyen’s gender identity but rejected accusations of intentional discrimination. Petty emphasized his commitment to fostering an inclusive council environment, while also pointing to concerns over Nguyen’s attendance at committee meetings.
The controversy surrounding Nguyen’s tenure has highlighted broader tensions within the city council regarding representation, inclusivity, and council decorum. Nguyen, who made history as Massachusetts’ first nonbinary elected official, has consistently framed their work as a push for systemic change rather than symbolic representation.
“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,” Nguyen said previously.
Nguyen’s decision not to seek election marks the end of a tenure that has brought national attention to issues of LGBTQ+ rights in local government, and it remains to be seen how their absence will shape the next chapter of the city’s leadership.
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