A so-called “nonbinary” official has taken a month-long mental health leave after being “misgendered” by her colleagues.
Thu Nguyen, a so-called “nonbinary” councilor-at-large for the city of Worchester, Massachusetts who goes by the pronouns they/them, has taken a month’s leave because “transphobia and a discriminatory and toxic culture” have supposedly taken over the council, causing her to not feel “safe” in the chamber.
Worcester Councilor Thu Nguyen, MA’s first nonbinary official, is taking a month-long leave of absence citing transphobia and to “prioritize their mental and emotional energy”
Complaints came after they were called “it” and misgendered several times in council meetings. They… pic.twitter.com/JximIYNUnV
— Bostonians Against Mayor Wu (@AntiWuCoalition) January 16, 2025
She has accused Worchester Mayor Joseph Petty, a Democrat, of “misgendering” her, and insisted that a month off from doing her job is necessary just because people hurt her feelings.
“I really really wish I felt safe enough to show up on the council floor, but I don’t,” Nguyen claimed. “I have faced transphobia with being misgendered.”
Petty has insisted that he corrected himself and apologized to Nguyen after the error was brought to his attention, but that is obviously not enough for her.
“During my 13 years as Mayor, I have always tried to treat every councilor with the dignity and respect they deserve,” a statement from the mayor read. “I would never knowingly say anything harmful, and I firmly believe everyone deserves the dignity of having their identity honored and respected.”
He is now alleging that Nguyen is simply using this as an excuse because she doesn’t want to appear in person after the city mandated that councilors return to in-person meetings and sub-meetings.
“I will not apologize for holding myself and my colleagues accountable to the responsibilities entrusted to us by the people we serve,” Petty’s statement continued. “Being available, accessible, and engaged is a fundamental expectation of our roles, and it is critical to the success of the city.”
We are hearing more that Worcester Mayor Petty asked Councilor Thu Nguyen to attend meetings in person, but Nguyen cited transphobia as the reason for working remotely.
The mayor has released a statement, noting Nguyen missed several meetings, calling this “unacceptable,” and… https://t.co/s1YPuQfVsH pic.twitter.com/s6xTcn8Tf7
— Bostonians Against Mayor Wu (@AntiWuCoalition) January 16, 2025
Nguyen has also accused another councilor-at-large, Kathleen Toomey, of “misgendering” — this time claiming that she had referred to her as “it” several times, stating that she had “recently learned that I have been dehumanized to a point where I’m being referred to as it by my colleagues on this council.”
Meanwhile, other members of the Democrat-controlled council are demanding that the accused capitulate to Nguyen’s temper tantrum and apologize.
“City Councilors proclaim that hate has no home in Worcester,” District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj wrote in a statement. “I agree. Hate should have no home in city hall and in Worcester City Council as well.”
