Cuomosexual

2020hashtagdead

Cuomosexual is a hashtag and identity label created in April 2020 expressing ironic sexual attraction toward New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the COVID-19 pandemic. The term originated from a Randy Rainbow parody song and quickly became both a viral trend and a target of criticism.

Overview

Cuomosexual was a hashtag expressing tongue-in-cheek romantic or sexual attraction toward New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic1. The term played on LGBTQ+ identity language, framing admiration for Cuomo's daily televised pandemic briefings as a mock sexual orientation2.

The hashtag spread primarily on Twitter in April 2020 as Cuomo received significant media praise for his leadership during the crisis3. His calm, informative press conferences stood in contrast to the federal response, leading many Americans to view him favorably. The Cuomosexual label captured this moment of political fandom with characteristic internet irony.

However, the trend also drew substantial criticism. Many Twitter users pushed back against the hashtag by highlighting Cuomo's controversial policy decisions, including cuts to Medicaid during the pandemic and his refusal to implement a rent moratorium3. The term later took on negative connotations after sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo emerged in 20214.

How It Spread

After Randy Rainbow's tweet, the hashtag #Cuomosexual began trending on Twitter3. Twitter user @cindygallop posted "We are all @randyrainbow on this one. #cuomosexual #stayhome #newyorktough," earning over 290 retweets and 1,500 likes1. The hashtag became a way for users to express support for Cuomo while participating in a collective joke.

The backlash arrived almost immediately. Twitter user @Wperiyasamy posted a thread listing what she considered Cuomo's failures during the pandemic, gaining over 910 retweets and 2,500 likes1. User @mynameisjro similarly compiled a list of controversial Cuomo policies, receiving over 200 retweets1. These critical responses turned the hashtag into a battleground between Cuomo supporters and detractors.

The term's meaning shifted dramatically in 2021 when multiple women accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, leading to his resignation. Urban Dictionary entries from this period redefine Cuomosexual as a derogatory term describing inappropriate workplace behavior4. The hashtag effectively died as its original ironic admiration became impossible to express without invoking the scandal.

Frequently Asked Questions