City councilman resigns leadership position after calling trans woman “an it”

Michael Correia
Photo: Providence City Council

Providence City Councilman Michael Correia announced that he is resigning from a leadership role after being caught referring to Black transgender activist Justice Gaines as “an it.”

“I would like to personally apologize to Justice Gaines for any hurt that I may have inflicted on her,” Correia said in a statement posted to Facebook. “My words were flippant and inappropriate as a leader and as a person.”

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In recordings that Correia has called “illegal,” he can be heard talking about Gaines, an activist who has run for the city council and is involved in local politics.

The councilmember can be heard speaking to staffers about a newspaper story that reported Gaines might run for office again. The article he was discussing used “she” pronouns to refer to Gaines.

“He’s still working on developing his breasts and everything,” Correia says.

“What was his name before? Justin?” the staffer asks.

“Listen, you got to be careful,” Correia interjects, warning the staffer that Gaines has ties to a local lawyer.

“So what do you call this person if he wins?” the staffer asks. “Councilperson?”

“An it,” Correia said. “It.”

When a local news station…

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