Robert De Niro Announces Departure from the U.S., Citing Lack of Respect
New York, NY – In a seismic shift for the nation’s largest city, Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Democratic socialist and state assemblyman, has been elected as New York City’s 111th mayor – the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the office, and the youngest in over a century. But beyond the historic headlines, Mamdani’s victory signals a bold era for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, built on his unyielding legislative record of dismantling discriminatory laws and shielding vulnerable communities. From his first days in Albany to his mayoral mandate, Mamdani has been a fierce ally, turning empathy into action.
Elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020 representing Queens’ 36th District, Mamdani hit the ground running. In his debut session, he spearheaded the repeal of the state’s notorious “Walking While Trans” law – a vague anti-loitering statute weaponized against transgender women of color. Often a pretext for racial profiling under the guise of sex work enforcement, it allowed police to harass trans individuals for simply existing: a skirt on the sidewalk, a pause away from a bus stop. Mamdani’s bill gutted the most abusive provisions, earning swift passage and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature in 2021. “This wasn’t justice – it was survival,” Mamdani said at the signing, his voice steady amid cheers from trans advocates.
That same year, he cosponsored the landmark Gender Recognition Act, streamlining gender marker changes on official documents and introducing a non-binary “X” option – a lifeline for thousands navigating bureaucracy. Signed by Cuomo in June 2021, it slashed wait times from months to days, reducing barriers to healthcare, jobs, and safety. “Identity isn’t a debate; it’s a right,” Mamdani declared, a mantra that’s defined his tenure.
As anti-trans legislation surged in red states by 2023, Mamdani doubled down, backing New York’s shield law to protect gender-affirming care. The measure bars state officials from aiding out-of-state probes into legal procedures performed in New York, extending safeguards to abortion access too. Gov. Kathy Hochul inked it into law, crediting Mamdani’s “relentless advocacy” for shielding families from cross-border harassment. “We won’t extradite hope,” he tweeted post-passage, racking 1.2 million likes.
X is ablaze with celebration. #MamdaniForLGBTQ trended with 2.4 million posts post-election, fans hailing him as “NYC’s queer guardian.” One viral thread: “From Albany battles to City Hall wins – Zohran’s making rainbows bulletproof!” GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis called his win “a beacon for visibility,” while trans activist Chase Strangio added: “He didn’t just vote – he fought like family.”
Mamdani’s coalition – young voters, immigrants, and progressives – propelled his upset over Cuomo and Sliwa, flipping the Bronx and surging in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. As mayor, he vows citywide expansions: free Pride transit, expanded shelters for queer youth, and anti-discrimination task forces. “New York belongs to everyone – especially those we’ve failed,” he told supporters at Brooklyn Paramount, fist raised.
In a city of 8.8 million dreams, Mamdani’s not just mayor – he’s a milestone. From “Walking While Trans” to shield laws, his record screams progress. LGBTQ+ New Yorkers? They’re not just seen; they’re shielded. Who’s ready for rainbow City Hall?
