Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, has emphasised his commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to affordable housing, universal childcare and, he quipped, partners who do not make them cringe. Speaking on Liz Plank’s Boy Problems podcast, Mamdani was asked about a recent Vogue article exploring whether straight women now feel “embarrassed” to have a boyfriend. Plank explained that women interviewed for the piece suggested that having a boyfriend felt “almost Republican”, with fears that a partner might publicly humiliate them.
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Mamdani disagreed with the idea that boyfriends are inherently mortifying, advising instead that anyone worried about being embarrassed by their partner should “probably get a new boyfriend”. He added that it would also be “embarrassing” if a boyfriend chose not to vote. The Vogue feature referenced in the discussion draws on the concept of “heterofatalism”, coined by academic Asa Seresin to describe a sense of resignation among some straight women who view heterosexual relationships as emotionally unsatisfying or disappointing.
Plank also raised the so-called “male loneliness crisis”, noting that some female listeners feel the conversation unfairly frames women as responsible for solving men’s isolation. Mamdani was clear that this burden should not fall on women, arguing that the issue stems from broader systemic pressures, including rising living costs and increasing social alienation. He suggested that contemporary economic and social conditions have contributed to a fraying of connections between people.
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Reflecting on his campaign, Mamdani noted that many New Yorkers formed friendships simply by taking part in canvassing. As mayor, he said he hopes to create more “third spaces” — places where people can spend time without the expectation of spending money. Such spaces, he argued, are vital for fostering community, reducing loneliness and enabling people to connect in a more accessible and meaningful way.
