Nguyen, the first nonbinary person elected in the state, will take a month off "to prioritize (their) mental and emotional safety."

Worcester City Councilor At-Large Thu Nguyen, the first openly nonbinary elected official in Massachusetts, is taking one month to step away from "toxic council culture."

Nguyen, who made history when they became the first openly nonbinary person to hold office in Massachusetts, is taking a hiatus from their role as a Worcester city councilor to prioritize their mental health,

Worcester City Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen announced Wednesday they would be taking a hiatus from the council, citing transphobia and a toxic culture. Nguyen, who is the council’s first non-binary and Southeast Asian-American member,

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Nguyen made reference to allegations they had been misgendered by Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor At-Large Kathleen Toomey on the council floor. They also mentioned "recently learning" that they had been called "it" by another councilor, District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson.