The LGBTQ Community of Worcester came together yesterday evening for a rally and press conference before moving to last night’s city council meeting in support of City Councilor Thu Nguyen. As reported, last week, City Councilor Nguyen is currently on a one-month leave from their role following several instances of misgendering, including being referred to as “it” by City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson.
Rally and press conference speakers included Tanya Neslusan, executive director of MassEquality; Imani & Diana of Racism Free WPS; Joshua Croke, president and founder, Love Your Labels; Sue Mailman, school committee member at-large; Khrystian King, at-large city councilor; Etel Haxhiaj, District 5 city councilor; Caelum Lam, WPS grad; Domenica Perrone, Worcester resident; and Chastity Bowick of Chastity Bowick Consulting.
Executive Director of MassEquality, Tanya Neslusan stated that, “As the second largest city in New England, it is imperative that we do not let transphobia stand. Worcester can and must do better. There is no excuse for anyone to refer to a colleague as “it” and everyone should be outraged by the behavior of Councilor Mero-Carlson ”
Executive Director of Love Your Labels, Joshua Croke, stated that “My hope for this rally and press conference is to showcase to our elected officials that the queer and trans residents who they are supposed to represent our demanding accountability and for leadership to take counselor Nguyen’s accusations of transphobia and discrimination, seriously. City leadership has an opportunity to showcase what inclusive leadership looks like, and there are a number of residents, organizations, and advocates in the city that they can look to for support and guidance and those of us who are in this work have not felt called in partnership, so we have had to stand up and voice our support from the other side of the table, which we will continue to do until leadership truly takes impactful steps to ensure a culture of safety support and inclusion for the diversity of our city that is represented on the council by Councilor Nguyen and others.”
— from a MassEquality press release
More: massequality.org
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