Vast majority of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers voted for Zohran Mamdani, but the straights were split

Zohran Mamdani’s unapologetic LGBTQ+ allyship really paid off after exit polls reveal the majority of queer New Yorkers voted for him. The straights, on the other hand, were split down the middle.

The 34-year-old socialist politician made history earlier this week by becoming New York’s youngest mayor-elect in over a century, as well as its first Muslim mayor-elect, in the closing hours of the city’s election.

He won the election, obtaining around 50.4% of the vote, while his major rival Andrew Cuomo got about 41.6%.

Mamdani vowed to protect all New Yorkers, including LGBTQ+ people, during his victory speech to supporters in Brooklyn, adding: “Here we believe in standing up for those we love.”

Mamdani’s efforts to incorporate LGBTQ+ rights into his economic and social policies clearly resonated with NYC’s queer community, according to NBC News’ exit polls.

The polls showed that 81 per cent of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers voted for Mamdani, but only 15 per cent voted for Cuomo.

Comparatively, straight and/or cisgender voters were nearly completely divided between both candidates, with 46 per cent voting for Mamdani and 45 per cent voting for Cuomo.

Zohran Mamdani’s LGBTQ+ allyship paid off, human rights groups say

While certainly extraordinary, the polling data should come as little surprise given the mayor-elect’s track record on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly towards trans people.

Mamdani captured the hearts and minds of younger voters, who are statistically more likely to be LGBTQ+, through his campaign’s strong social media presence, as well as his broadly progressive policies.

During the campaign, he pledged to transform NYC into a sanctuary for the community through a combination of political actions, including the expansion and protection of trans healthcare and the establishment of an Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

According to the exit polls, 70 per cent of voters aged 18-44, who constituted 36 per cent of all voters, picked Mamdani.

The former rapper still caught the attention of older New Yorkers, with nearly a quarter of voters aged 45 and up, who constituted 64 per cent of all voters, chose Mamdani.

Data from Gallup published in April this year suggests that 60 per cent of US voters view economic issues, such as living costs, as a top priority. Comparatively, just 1 per cent of voters view LGBTQ+ rights as a top issue.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.