As the New York mayoral race kicks off, Sex and The City and Broadway actress Cynthia Nixon has been organizing LGBT and women-geared fundraisers on behalf of the public advocate Bill de Blasio. She’s also had to set a number of people — including, via awkward email, Alec Baldwin — straight (so to speak) about not supporting Christine Quinn just because they’re both girls who like girls. (Alec Baldwin sheepishly apologized. LOLz.)
The New York Times reports on Nixon’s public support for de Blasio; she states:
“I’ve got to say, I’m not anti-Chris Quinn. I worked alongside her in the marriage fight, and I believe she was incredibly eloquent and incredibly effective. But apart from that particular gay issue, I don’t see a lot of stuff where I line up with her. I think it’s a sign of progress. It’s like the smoke has cleared in some way and gays, blacks, Caucasians and everybody is able to see beyond the person that might look like them, and go more for the person’s voting record or the person’s plan for the city.”
Among the trademark issues in de Blasio’s campaign that appeal to Nixon are his dedication to improving New York City public schools, which she’s fought on behalf of since her daughter began kindergarten during the public education budget cuts. At one point, during a protest at City Hall over overcrowded classrooms, she was even arrested.
Sarah Jessica Parker, also interviewed for the piece, says this was Nixon’s “gateway” issue into New York politics. And speaking of SJP, Nixon says:
“I remember when we screened the first [Sex and The City] movie in London, when Mr. Big shows Carrie that closet he’s built for her and the entire audience clapped. I found that devastating. Maybe that’s a strong word, but I was disheartened. Because I thought: ‘Is this what these women in the audience think true love is? A man who has enough money to buy you a walk-in closet?’”
She just won me over.
‘Cynthia Nixon, a Liberal, but With No Limousine’ [NYT]
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