Worcester Councilor Levies Lawsuit Toward City Over 'Retaliation'

WORCESTER, MA - Thu Nguyen, a city councilor for Worcester and the first openly nonbinary person elected in the state, indicated they may sue the city.

It's been a busy year for Nguyen and the Worcester council, and this is another notch in the ongoing dispute between the two parties. It began at the beginning of 2025 when Nguyen alleged LGBTQ+ discriminatory practices from Mayor Joseph Petty and other councilors. It escalated as the involved representatives hurled statements back and forth at one another.

It appeared to reach an end when Nguyen announced they would not return to city council.

Now, in a post to their Instagram page, Nguyen said they've been experiencing retaliation from the council.

"I have been experiencing what I consider textbook retaliation, from an increased hostile work environment to rules added to prevent me from doing my work efficiently," Nguyen wrote in their statement. They said they could not meet their council aide outside of the office, and their pay and benefits were withheld when they began their hiatus.

Two new orders are set to go before the city council on Tuesday. One would require the council to vote on holding the salary and benefits of a fellow councilor if they took unauthorized leave as a form of retaliation.

"Petty intimidation and retaliation tactics is all that this is," Nguyen said. Following Nguyen's hiatus, the city council has approved several petitions calling for Worcester's designation as a sanctuary city for transgender people and an LGBTQ+ support fund that would receive $500,000 annually. Both measures were approved, and Nguyen returned to the council floor on February 11 to vote in favor of the former.

They have not returned to the council since, and are still being paid salary and benefits.

"I never wanted it to come down to this," Nguyen said. "But if it must come down to a lawsuit for accountability, I will see the city of Worcester in court."