Mamdani and Cuomo’s complete track records on LGBTQ+ issues

October 30, 2025

New York City's mayoral race between Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo has become the nation's most closely watched local election, with significant implications for the Democratic Party's direction on progressive issues, including LGBTQ rights. Cuomo established a strong record on gay rights during his governorship, signing marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections, but his tenure ended amid sexual harassment allegations that included reports of using transphobic slurs. Mamdani has supported transgender rights legislation throughout his assembly career and proposed significant LGBTQ protections as part of his mayoral platform.

Who is affected

Zohran Mamdani (state assemblyman and Democratic Socialist candidate)
Andrew Cuomo (former New York Governor running as independent)
LGBTQ New Yorkers, particularly transgender people and trans youth
Trans women of color (historically targeted under "Walking While Trans" law)
Ed Koch (former NYC mayor, referenced regarding alleged 1970s slur campaign)
Cuomo's former staffers (who made sexual harassment and workplace mistreatment allegations)
LGBTQ advocacy groups including The Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, Jim Owles Liberal LGBT Club, Lambda Independent Democrats, NYC Pride and Power, Equality New York
Kristofer Graham (anti-LGBTQ activist hired as Cuomo's campaign treasurer)
Tyler Hack (trans rights activist and executive director of the Christopher Street Project)
Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. (former city council member who endorsed Cuomo)
Siraj Wahhaj (imam with history of homophobic remarks)
Rebecca Kadaga (anti-LGBTQ Ugandan official)
LGBTQ celebrities who endorsed Mamdani (Bowen Yang, Cole Escola, Hari Nef, Ben Platt, John Early, Cynthia Nixon, and Matt Bernstein)

What action is being taken

Mamdani and Cuomo are currently facing off in New York City's mayoral race
Cuomo is running attack campaigns spotlighting Mamdani's Ugandan dual citizenship and photo with Rebecca Kadaga
Mamdani is running ads promising support for NYC's trans community
Both candidates are participating in debates and public campaigning

Why it matters

This race represents a potential turning point for the Democratic Party's ideological direction, particularly on progressive issues and LGBTQ rights. The outcome could signal whether New Yorkers desire politics further left than traditional Democratic values, especially given ongoing national discourse about transgender rights following recent presidential losses. The race has heightened significance as transgender people face increasing attacks from the Trump administration and conservative state policies nationwide, making New York City's mayoral stance on LGBTQ protections nationally consequential. The contrast between candidates—one with historic achievements on gay rights but recent controversies involving transphobic language and anti-LGBTQ campaign associations versus one with consistent legislative support for trans rights—represents competing visions for how Democratic leaders should position themselves on LGBTQ issues.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th