New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is going viral for offering some very on-brand advice as a powerful winter storm blanketed the city with record snowfall. The storm hit Sunday, January 25, grounding flights, disrupting buses, and forcing schools to shift online on Monday. During a press conference, Mamdani urged residents to stay indoors — and pick up a queer romance classic.
Mamdani said, “The snow is coming down heavily across our city, and I can think of no better excuse for New Yorkers to say home, take a long nap or take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to Heated Rivalry on e-book or audiobook for anyone with a library card.” His comments followed a New York Public Library announcement that Heated Rivalry and other titles from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series are instantly available to cardholders through February 14.
The hit story — about rival hockey stars and secret lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov — recently exploded in popularity thanks to a smash TV adaptation. Mamdani’s queer-positive message reflects his long-standing LGBTQ+ advocacy. Exit polls show 81 percent of queer New Yorkers voted for him — proof that sometimes, representation really is a page-turner.
