1. Trailblazing trans advocate Cecilia Gentili
2. Trans advocate Cecilia Gentili.
Transgender activist, actress, and author Cecilia Gentili, known for her role in the trans-led TV series “Pose,” has sadly passed away at the age of 52. The cause of her death has not been disclosed. Her passing has been met with tributes from her co-stars on “Pose,” as well as nightlife legend Amanda Lepore, GLAAD, and drag performer Chiquitita.
A statement posted on Gentili’s Instagram page on Tuesday afternoon announced her passing and asked for privacy during this time of grief. The statement read, “Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning, but her spirit will continue to watch over us. Please be kind to one another and love each other fiercely. We will share more updates about services and future plans in the coming days.”
Born and raised in Gálvez, Santa Fe, Argentina, Gentili came out as gay at the young age of 12. It wasn’t until she met an openly transgender person in college that she became aware of her own trans identity. She faced challenges growing up in a small town that was not ready to accept someone like her.
In 1999, Gentili made the decision to move to Miami, Florida, with only $35 in her pocket. She struggled to find work as an undocumented immigrant and turned to sex work to make ends meet. Despite facing addiction and multiple arrests, she never gave up and used her experiences to fuel her activism.
Gentili’s dedication to the LGBTQ+ community led her to work for various organizations. From 2012 to 2016, she managed a trans health clinic at the Apicha Community Health Center, expanding its reach from four patients to over 500. She then served as the Director of Policy at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where she fought for the passage of GENDA, a law that protects against discrimination based on gender expression and identity.
She was also a prominent advocate for decriminalizing sex work and fought against the “walking while trans” law in New York City. Gentili helped establish the Lorena Borjas Trans Equity Fund NYC, which provided over $1.8 million to trans advocacy organizations. In 2019, she founded Trans Equity Consulting, where she advised companies, nonprofits, and governments on transgender inclusion.
Gentili’s activism extended to her artistry as well. She performed her one-woman autobiographical show, “The Knife Cuts Both Ways,” in 2017 and appeared in the TV series “Pose” in 2018 and 2019. She released her debut memoir, “Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn’t My Rapist,” in 2022 and performed her autobiographical off-Broadway show, “Red Ink,” in 2023.
Following the announcement of her passing, tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and the LGBTQ+ community. Dominique Jackson, her co-star on “Pose,” shared a video clip of their scene together and expressed deep sadness at her departure. Chase Strangio, deputy director of Transgender Justice for the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project, thanked Gentili for her love and storytelling. GLAAD expressed devastation and highlighted Gentili’s advocacy against biased trans coverage.
Cecilia Gentili’s legacy as a fierce queer activist will continue to inspire and empower others. Her dedication to fighting for the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community will not be forgotten. She leaves behind a lasting impact on the world and will be deeply missed..
– Trailblazing trans advocate Cecilia Gentili dies at age
– Trans advocate Cecilia Gentili passes away at age.
