A non-binary politician in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been taken off work for a month after accusing her fellow city council members of “misgendering” her and calling her “it.”
Ms Thu Nguyen is taking time to focus on her mental health after the accusations leveled against her colleague. daily mail reported Thursday noted her use of the pronouns “they” and “them.”
But her colleagues insist the so-called “misgendering” was a coincidence.
Images according to reports show Nguyen wearing a shirt that says “Paying for people's abortions is a revolutionary political act”:
According to a statement on Nguyen's Instagram account: Posted On Wednesday, Worcester City Councilor wrote:
As we move into power under the Trump administration and the fear experienced by the LGBTQ+ community increases exponentially, I, as a member of the Worcester City Council, must file a complaint with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion regarding this matter. It's a shame that it didn't happen. My experience over the past three years of dealing with transphobia and a discriminatory and toxic council culture, having been publicly misgendered by Mayor Petty and Councilman Toomey in the City Council chambers, and recently learning about the district. 2 Rep. Melo Carlson has called me “it” many times. I have formally requested the City of Worcester's Chief Capital Officer to immediately launch an investigation and develop a plan of action to address this issue.
However, Mr. Petty disputed Mr. Nguyen's claims, saying the allegations came after officials made a decision to require in-person attendance at meetings.
“On Tuesday, Mr. Petty asked the Local Government and Legislative Administration Committee to hold a public hearing regarding officials attending public hearings remotely.” mail The report continued.
Nguyen is accused of missing half of the Transportation and Parking subcommittee meetings and failing to convene a meeting of another subcommittee that she would have chaired.
“Not participating in these important responsibilities is unacceptable. I have held myself and my colleagues accountable for the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people we serve,” Petty said. I have no intention of apologizing.”
Nguyen claim According to WCVB, it wasn't safe for her to go to an in-person meeting.
“I really wanted to come to council feeling safe, but that’s not the case. I have faced transphobia by being misgendered, but recently my colleagues on this council “I learned that I had been dehumanized to the point where I was called 'it',” she commented.
Since then, Petty said he has always strived to treat his colleagues with dignity and respect, saying, “I would never say anything intentionally hurtful, and I would like everyone to respect and respect their own identity.'' I strongly believe that people deserve to have the same dignity that they deserve,” he added.
