With Cynthia Nixon’s much-discussed decision to run for the position of New York governor, strong opposition has come from prominent Democratic politician, Christine Quinn.

Nixon, who identifies as bisexual, will challenge the incumbent governor, Andrew Cuomo. If Nixon is successful, she would not only be the first woman to ever hold the title, but also the first out governor.

Despite praising Nixon’s political activism for progressive causes, Christine Quinn, who herself identifies as lesbian, seemingly had a personal reason for the attack. Nixon had previously opposed Quinn’s own 2013 mayoral bid, choosing to support instead the eventually successful Bill De Blasio.

In an interview with the New York Post, Quinn stated ‘Cynthia Nixon was opposed to having a qualified lesbian become mayor of New York City. Now she wants to be an unqualified lesbian to be the governor of New York’. Referring to Nixon’s fame as an actress with high profile roles in such shows as Sex And The City, she continued, “Being an actress and a celebrity doesn’t make you qualified for public office’.

After causing an outcry with her comments, Quinn eventually backtracked in a series of tweets, stating, ‘Cynthia Nixon’s identity has no bearing on her candidacy and it was not my intention to suggest it did… I would never, ever, criticize someone because of their identity’. Referring to the struggles she herself faced as an out politician, Quinn continued, ‘I’ve experienced it time and time again, and would never support it or condone it. As a lesbian who ran one of the most high profile races in the country, I know what that’s like. And I know it’s imperative that we encourage more members of our community to run for office’.

Nixon, whose sexuality was not only highlighted but misidentified by Quinn, has previously stated, ‘Taking our country back is going to require all of us to step up and take action – including more women, people of colour, queer people, and first-generation Americans running for office’.