Non-binary elected official takes month-long ‘mental health’ leave after being ‘misgendered’ in Massachusetts city council

Nguyen has been attending meetings remotely and, per the Telegram & Gazette, "called the council 'unsafe' during a discussion regarding their frequent remote attendance." The debate followed Mayor Joseph M. Petty's filing of an order asking for a "public hearing to review the limitations and options of the remote participation of public officials." Nguyen attended the Tuesday meeting discussing remote attendance remotely. In video, Nguyen can be seen wearing a keffiyeh, a scarf representing affiliation with the Palestinian cause against Israel.

Much of Nguyen's Instagram is taken up with anti-Israel sentiment and videos of Nguyen speaking on the floor of the council show Nguyen advocating that Worcester "not do business as usual" while Israel and Hamas continue fighting in a conflict Nguyen called a "genocide." In October 2024, Nguyen said, "Mr. Chairman, we cannot continue business as usual during a genocide of Palestinian folks and everyone in Gaza." Nguyen also advocates for LGBTQ "liberation," housing for the homeless, and drag queen events for kids.

"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," Nguyen said in a lengthy statement on Instagram. "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," Nguyen's statement continued. "My filing of a complaint’s aim is to hold elected 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.

"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," Nguyen said in conclusion.

Nguyen said that the misgendering had been perpetrated by Petty and Councilor-at-Large Kathleen Toomey on the council floor. Nguyen further said that District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson had called Nguyen "it." Mero-Carlson responded on X, saying that Nguyen's claims "misrepresent" Mero-Carlson's "character." Then she went on to say that Nguyen barely shows up to work.

"This year, Councilor Nguyen has the lowest attendance record of any City Councilor—a striking contrast to my near-perfect attendance and presence at meetings and events across the city nearly every night of the week. My focus has always been on showing up for our community, listening to constituents, and delivering results. Unfortunately, Councilor Nguyen’s approach seems more centered on sowing chaos and division, rather than collaboration or addressing the real needs of our city," Mero-Carlson said.

"I have faced transphobia with being misgendered," Nguyen said, "and recently learned that I have been dehumanized to a point where I'm being referred to as it by my colleagues on this council."

Nguyen, who was the very first non-binary elected official in Massachusetts when Nguyen won a 2021 election, filed a complaint with Worcester's Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Toomey said that if she had misgendered Nguyen, who appears to be a woman, it was an "honest mistake" that has happened shortly after Nguyen joined the council.

"There's never, ever been any attempt on my side to misgender them. I'm sorry that that's how they feel. There's never been any intentional consistent misgendering," Toomey said. Toomey will continue working despite the allegations of misgendering that led Nguyen to abandon the Councilor-at-Large post for an entire month.

Petty also responded, saying, "During my 13 years as Mayor, I have always tried to treat every councilor with the dignity and respect they deserve. I would never knowingly say anything harmful, and I firmly believe everyone deserves the dignity of having their identity honored and respected." That being said, he suggested that Nguyen's ire was mostly raised by the decision to require councilors to attend meetings in person, not virtually.

"I will not apologize for holding myself and my colleagues accountable to the responsibilities entrusted to us by the people we serve," he said. "Being available, accessible, and engaged is a fundamental expectation of our roles, and it is critical to the success of the city."

Others on the council backed Nyugen, with District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj saying, "City Councilors proclaim that hate has no home in Worcester. I agree. Hate should have no home in city hall and in Worcester City Council as well."

"As Vice Chairman, I envision a better future for the Trans and gender non-conforming folks, both within the City Council Chambers and in the wider community," said City Council Vice Chair and Councilor-at-Large Khrystian King. "As public officials, we are called to equally commit to fostering a civic environment that protects our members and participants from any semblance of political hostility while denouncing any behavior that contributes to dehumanization or othering."