Sag Harbor Investigates Mayor's Social Media Comment Amid Homophobia Accusations

The Village of Sag Harbor opened a formal investigation in mid-March 2026 into a comment Mayor Thomas Gardella posted on Instagram that critics described as homophobic, after the comment spread rapidly and drew condemnation from residents and village officials alike.

The comment appeared on a reel posted by Rebecca Chavez, a Texas resident and animal rights activist, showing her and her wife, Deanah, dancing. Deanah has a short haircut. Gardella, writing from what has been described as a personal Instagram account, commented: "What's that thing in the background ? A guy A girl? some creature ?" The remark appeared to refer to Deanah. Chavez saw it, searched Gardella's name, identified him as mayor, and posted a second video calling him out and urging followers to email village officials. The East Hampton Star reported that Gardella's comments were subsequently sent to every email address listed on the Sag Harbor Village website. Chavez's second video carried a caption directed at the mayor: "Oh, Tom, you should know better."

Chavez told Newsday that Gardella's comment was "homophobic" and "horrific."

The village board learned of the comment on a Monday. The following Tuesday evening, Deputy Mayor Edward Haye addressed it publicly at the Sag Harbor Village Board meeting, saying Gardella's comment had "disparaged members of the LGBT community."

"Sag Harbor has long prided itself being a welcoming and a tolerant village, and those values deeply matter to us both as members of the village board and as residents," Haye said. "While the comment appears to have been made on a personal social media account, it has understandably caused concern and hurt within our community." Haye said the matter would "be reviewed through the appropriate village processes so we … can address it thoughtfully, fairly and transparently."

After Haye's statement, Gardella apologized. "I also would like to apologize for my many friends in the LGBT community who feel disappointed in me," he said. "This administration holds a high standard of conduct and accountability and no one is above reproach, especially the mayor."

Gardella later posted a follow-up comment claiming he had been referring to a white dog that briefly appeared in the video. "I was referring to what I think is a white dog! I only get a glimpse of him, or her, in the video. I can clearly see the person dancing! You shouldn't make assumptions," he wrote, according to the East Hampton Star. More than 60 people responded to that follow-up in the Instagram comments, calling it a poor attempt to cover up homophobia, the Star reported.

Village labor and employment lawyer Vincent Toomey is handling the review. Newsday reported that Toomey said the investigation could conclude in less than a month and that if a violation of village policy is found, the investigator will recommend remedial action to village trustees. Toomey acknowledged that options for disciplining an elected official are limited; trustees could recommend additional training or censure. Board member Bob Plumb confirmed that the village's codes of conduct extend to social media activity and that the board could vote to censure the mayor if a violation is established.

Chavez said she and her wife are glad Gardella apologized and that the village board is taking the matter seriously.

Gardella, a former village board member, was elected mayor of Sag Harbor in June 2023. The East Hampton Star reported this is not the first time his personal social media activity has drawn scrutiny: a Sag Harbor artist alleged in a letter to the media that Gardella previously posted a profanity-laced comment about the Department of Government Efficiency, writing, "To all the people complaining about Doge! . . . FUCK YOU." That earlier incident has not been independently corroborated beyond the artist's letter.