Cynthia Nixon is making ‘Unqualified Lesbian’ campaign badges

Cynthia Nixon has turned a personal attack from a political opponent into her de facto campaign slogan.

The former Sex and the City star and long-time LGBT activist this month announced a bid to become Governor of New York, as a Democratic primary challenger to the incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Hitting out at her left-wing challenge earlier this month, the former Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn branded her an “unqualified lesbian”.

Ms Quinn, who is herself gay, complained of Nixon: “She wants to be an unqualified lesbian to be the Governor of New York.”

But Nixon has taken the insult in her stride.

The candidate – who is massively out-fundraising Cuomo with individual donors – is now giving out badges on her website bearing the phrase.

The “Unqualified Lesbian buttons” are available in two colours, blue and white, for donors who give $5 or more to the Cynthia Nixon for New York campaign.

Her campaign added: “Cynthia was called an ‘unqualified lesbian’. In her defense there’s a lot of paperwork required. Grab your button to support our campaign today.”

Nixon herself had responded to the stage at a campaign rally held at New York City’s iconic LGBT landmark Stonewall Inn.

Opening the event, she said: “Welcome, unqualified lesbians, and qualified ones too! Welcome to the trans community, welcome to queer people of every stripe, and our beautiful straight allies.”