He's under a court order to have no contact with Eliana Lopez after an argument that left her arm bruised and led to domestic violence charges.
Mirkarimi ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false imprisonment charges.
During an interview on KGO Radio Sunday, Mirkarimi said he wants to get the court order modified so he can at least talk by phone with Lopez.
He took listeners' questions and addressed his critics, including domestic violence groups.
"I feel that sense of shame that I've betrayed friends of mine and people that I have worked so closely with, but in return I feel betrayed in the sense that there never was a conversation when there should have been one," he said.
Mirkarimi is also fighting his suspension on official misconduct charges and says he feels the situation has gone too far.
