Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has sent a powerful message to trans youth.

Over the last year, the Trump administration has been relentless in its efforts to roll back protections for trans people.

This includes attempts to limit access to gender-affirming healthcare, restrict participation in sports and define gender narrowly in legal terms.

While the 47th president and his Republican allies are showing no signs of slowing down their tirade, various Democratic lawmakers have come out swinging in support of the trans community, including AOC.

On 3 October, the representative for New York’s 14th congressional district held a Q&A session on her Instagram, during which she discussed several topics.

When a user asked if she had anything to say to trans youth amid the rise of anti-trans rhetoric, AOC delivered a powerful message assuring them that she stands by the community.

“I want to say that I know this time is completely terrifying for so many people. And it feels hard to know where your place is, especially in politics, where it feels like people of both parties are blaming you for everything that’s happening,” she said.

“I just want you to know that they couldn’t be more wrong and you are fine just the way you are, and in a time when it’s hard to know who stands with you, I want you to know that I stand with you, and everyone who wants to be mean shouldn’t be mean around me.”

AOC’s message was immediately embraced by many of her LGBTQIA+ followers, with one person commenting: “Thank you! As a peer support/peer ambassador in the mental health field, I truly appreciate your words #achildislistening”

@aocMy message for trans youth in what feels like a terrifying moment: I stand with you. I’ve got your back.♬ original sound – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Another user echoed similar sentiments, writing: “As a trans girl, thank you for standing up for us.”

A third follower added: “Thank you for taking the time to address our trans babies!! They deserve so much more love & respect than they’re receiving rn.”

Since entering the political sphere, AOC has been a staunch advocate for the trans community, often using her platform and public appearances to push back against hateful rhetoric.

In 2021, she effortlessly shut down transphobic critics mocking her for using the inclusive terminology, “menstruating person,” while discussing Texas’ anti-abortion law.

The politician took to Twitter to clarify her comments when news outlets generalised her wording to mean just “women”.

“Not just women,” AOC wrote. “Trans men & non-binary people can also menstruate.”

Not just women! Trans men & non-binary people can also menstruate.

Some women also *don’t* menstruate for many reasons, including surviving cancer that required a hysterectomy.

GOP mad at this are protecting the patriarchal idea that women are most valuable as uterus holders. pic.twitter.com/BJovcw1qPa

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 8, 2021

“Some women also *don’t* menstruate for many reasons, including surviving cancer that required a hysterectomy. GOP mad at this are protecting the patriarchal idea that women are most valuable as uterus holders.”

In November 2024, she came out in support of her colleague Sarah McBride –the first openly trans person to be elected to the House of Representatives – after Republican lawmakers attempted to pass a bill banning trans people from using the bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity.

“If you ask them what is your plan to enforce this is, they won’t come up with an answer. What it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault because people are going to check their private parts in suspecting who is trans and who is cis and who is doing what,” she told reporters.

“And so the idea that Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trou[sers] in front of who? An investigator? Who would that be? Because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans? It is disgusting.”

@nbcnews Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out #Republican Rep. Nancy Mace’s proposal to ban transgender women from female bathrooms in the Capitol. Mace and Speaker Johnson have separately introduced restrictions after #Democrat Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to #Congress ♬ original sound – nbcnews

July 17 (UPI) — California Democratic congressional lawmaker Ro Khanna announced on Fox & Friends Thursday morning that he will endorse Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York.

“He spent a lot of time talking about the cost of living in New York, in this country, and how we address it,” Khanna said. He said Mamdani is a “very charismatic, relatable person.”

Host Lawrence B. Jones asked Khanna if he agrees with Mamdani’s views on Israel. Mamdani has said that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to New York, he’d have him arrested.

He answered that he doesn’t agree with Mamdani on every issue. He argued that the Democratic party should focus more on the working class. It should work to raise wages and have a more economically populist agenda.

Since Mamdani won the Democratic primary for mayor, he’s been seeking endorsements from higher-ranking progressives. Khanna fits that bill.

The endorsement came after a breakfast meeting in New York hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., where Mamdani met with a variety of Democratic representatives.

Other endorsements Mamdani has gained include: Reps. Jerry Nadler,D-N.Y., and Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. Espaillat initially endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo on Monday formally announced he is running as an independent for mayor, three weeks after he lost to Mamdani.

Former Mayor Eric Adams announced last month that he will also run as an independent.

Mamdani is expected to meet soon with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., The Hill reported.

June 24 (UPI) — New Yorkers are facing scorching temperatures Tuesday as they head to the polls in local elections that include the hotly contested Democratic primary race for New York City mayor between former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani.

According to returns released as of 3 p.m. EDT, by the Board of Elections, more than 326,000 New Yorkers had voted Tuesday. More than 384,000 cast their ballot during early voting last week, which is more than double the number of early votes during the 2021 primaries for mayor.

Temperatures reached into the triple-digits Tuesday, hitting 102 degrees at John F. Kennedy International Airport, as voters in New York City braved the heat to cast their ballots. One polling site in Brooklyn had no air conditioning, leaving it up to poll workers to bring their own electric fans from home as New York’s Board of Elections provided only paper fans.

“I went to the management office and they said they didn’t convert it from heat to A/C. The air conditioning system wasn’t converted,” said a poll coordinator at the Taylor Wythe Community Center polling site. “It was supposed to be converted in April.”

One voter criticized New York City’s government for not doing better.

“Where are my tax dollars going?” said a woman, who did not want to give her name. “It’s 2025, who lets people work in this heat with no A/C?”

Primary elections in New York City use ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to express their preferences beyond just a single choice in an effort to prevent runoff elections. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated first, until one candidate secures 50% of the votes. New York City’s last mayoral primary took several weeks to be decided.

The turnout and interest in the Democratic race for New York City’s mayor comes as two very different candidates are pitted against each other, with nine other candidates trailing far behind the two frontrunners.

Mamdani, 33, has been a New York State representative for the 36th district of Queens since 2021. During his run for mayor, Mamdani has called for free city buses, public child care, a rent freeze and affordable housing. He has received endorsements from progressive politicians, including Democrats Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and he has been accused of being anti-Semitic while arguing he is only holding Israel accountable.

Just after 5 p.m. EDT, Mamdani reminded voters, in a post on X, that there were “less than four hours to go” before the polls close.

If elected, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor. He has criticized a super PAC, backing Cuomo, for being Islamophobic for altering images of him in a campaign mailer.

“Fix the City” PAC defended the mailers.

“Every Fix the City ad and mailer presents Mr. Mamdani unaltered; the photos, policies and plans are his,” said Liz Benjamin, a spokesperson for the PAC.

“When you strip away his Hollywood tinsel, what you realize is that Mr. Mamdani has repeatedly embraced the rhetoric of hate,” Benjamin added. “It is far past time to disavow his own calls to ‘globalize the intifada,’ which many understood is an invitation to violence.”

Cuomo, 67, resigned as governor of New York in 2021 after more than a dozen women accused him of sexual harassment. Last month, the Justice Department launched a criminal investigation into the former governor over accusations he lied to Congress about the number of nursing home deaths in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, Cuomo urged New Yorkers to vote early to beat the heat and reminded residents, in a post on X, that the polls are open until 9 p.m. The Board of Elections says results in the first round of voting should be released by 10 p.m. EDT.

“It’s Election Day. Together, we will save our city,” Cuomo wrote.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is not on Tuesday’s ballot since he is running for re-election as an Independent after dropping out of the Democratic primary in April.

“No such thing as a slow day in NYC! Temps hitting 100 degrees, so we’re keeping everyone cool and healthy. Primary Day across the five boroughs,” Adams wrote Tuesday in a post on X. “Drink your water and stay cool, everyone.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, speaks during a press conference on March 6, 2025. Sanders will support a pair of progressive candidates running in Democratic primaries against more established candidates. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

June 17 (UPI) — Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has thrown support to a pair of progressive candidates running in Democratic primaries against more established candidates.

Sanders is expected to officially endorse Zohran Mamdani in the party’s mayoral primary in New York City on Tuesday.

A Brooklyn native, Sanders joins Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. in support of Mamdani, a left-wing Democrat who must compete against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary. Current mayor Eric Adams is running for reelection as an independent.

“Our nation faces a fundamental choice: Will we continue with a corporate-dominated politics driven by billionaires or will we build a grass-roots movement fueled by everyday people, committed to fighting oligarchy, authoritarianism and kleptocracy?” Mr. Sanders has said about Mamdani.

“The New York City Democratic primary presents a clear choice as to the path forward,” he added.

Sanders has also announced his support for Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney, who seeks to unseat current Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich.

“As a Member of Congress, Donavan will fight to raise the minimum wage to a living wage, fully fund our public schools, invest in public housing and support Medicare for all,” said Sanders of McKinney. “A former union leader, he has dedicated his life to standing with working people, and is ready to lead the struggle against Donald Trump, the oligarchy, and the corporate interests who prioritize profits over people.”

McKinney, who also has the support of Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said in a statement that “Senator Sanders has long been a progressive champion for working class Americans, and I am honored to receive his endorsement.”

Sanders had also announced in May he had partnered with the Run for Something young candidate recruitment organization, which posted to X in May that “His message is clear-run for office-and we’re here to make sure new leaders have the tools to win.”