Cecilia Gentili - Mother, Friend, Advocate

Cecilia Gentili, aged 52, tragically passed away on February 6, 2024, leaving a profound impact on a global community that grieved for her throughout the past week. Recognized as an emblematic figure and a stabilizing influence, she dedicated herself to addressing the needs of her community, particularly in healthcare, homelessness, and immigration. Originally from Argentina, Gentili, a survival sex worker, came out in 1984. After living undocumented in the US for a decade, she was granted asylum in 2012 and subsequently established numerous organizations aimed at supporting individuals with similar backgrounds. Achieving asylum status and coming out as both trans and a sex worker at that time in US history was an incredible and difficult feat.

Gentili made significant contributions in New York, particularly through her involvement in advancing two state bills: one aimed at providing relief for trafficking victims and another that ended the "walking while trans" ban—a law that enabled police harassment of transgender individuals. However, her impact transcended geographical boundaries. Having navigated the challenges of survival through sex work in 2004, she acquired the skills to foster community and forge alliances independently. Furthermore, Gentili actively participated as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2020, challenging attempts to restrict transgender people's access to healthcare.

Her tireless advocacy for sex workers and transgender communities led her to serve as the managing director of policy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), a prominent HIV/AIDS prevention and care provider. Additionally, she held positions on the board of organizations such as Alianza Translatinx, based in California, dedicated to advocating for transgender inclusivity. Her remarkable dedication earned her the distinction of having a healthcare clinic for sex workers in New York City named after her.

Cecilia was a multifaceted individual, embodying roles as an artist, actress, chef, businesswoman, playwright, entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate leading efforts to propel New York City into an "age of enlightenment" regarding the necessity for dedicated services and support for Trans Sex Workers. Her relentless dedication to community unity was transformative, influencing policymakers, legislators, and cherished community members alike. Following her passing, the subsequent week was marked by widespread international media coverage of her life's endeavors. GLITS, Inc. found itself inundated with requests from allies, politicians, and media figures eager to attend and cover her funeral and the associated Celebration of Life services held in her honor. Merely hours after her passing, a quick search of her name on Google provided insight into her profound impact and the significance she held for those closest to her.

It was entirely appropriate that her legendary life be honored and commemorated at the equally legendary St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Over 1,000 individuals were in attendance, with standing ovations occurring frequently and serving as sources of inspiration. The attire of the guests was in accordance with Mother Cecilia's wish, who had requested that everyone "look fabulous," creating a fashion moment that rivaled any Hollywood production.

"All of them are part of our family. They are our mothers, our brothers and sisters. Let us not deprive our communities of seeing their faces, their wounds, their smiles, and their lives." - Pope Francis

In an ironic twist, St. Patrick’s Cathedral administrators and the Archdiocese conveyed that they considered the event an affront to the Catholic faith, stating that they were unaware of the deceased's identity—or her outspoken atheism—when they consented to hosting the service.

GLITSINC Founder and Executive Director, Ceyenne Doroshow—another NYC icon—was accused of deceiving the church. In reality, Ceyenne presented Cecilia like any other baptized-Catholic loved one. While a simple Google search would have told the Archdiocese anything they wanted to know, they didn’t mention Cecilia’s gender identity because it wouldn't be relevant to Christ.

Cecilia was originally a devout Catholic, even after enduring years of rejection and abuse from the church. Despite this, she made her wishes clear regarding her end-of-life planning. Like many others, she harbored doubts about the church's genuine willingness and ability to include, assist, and welcome her community, often falling short of its loving ideals. Unbeknownst to many except those closest to her, Cecilia was reexamining her relationship with the church over the past year. Throughout her life, she, like many of us, constantly reevaluated her faith, finding both acceptance and profound discrimination within the Church and within her community. She had a deep love for God even though it was, like for many of us, very complicated.

The Catholic Church, particularly in the US but also globally, has a history of distorting facts and covering up its own abuses and neglect of its most vulnerable members. The local archdiocese evidently disregarded announcements from Pope Francis embracing the transgender community in a document published in late October of 2023. Pope Francis, at the time, had made clear that transgender people can be baptized, serve as godparents, and be witnesses at church weddings, furthering his vision of a more inclusive church.

Cecilia’s life was one of service. Her death has impacted all of us in different ways. She will never be forgotten. Her work will continue to change the world, including the Catholic Church at large and St. Patrick’s Cathedral specifically. Regrettably, the planned Funeral Mass was altered to a Funeral Service by two St. Patrick's priests whose microphones were inadvertently activated. Over 1,000 attendees, surpassing the usual Sunday Mass congregation, overheard their decision to withhold this significant rite.

Her death was announced by her husband and friends on Instagram on February 6th, summarizing the loss of her as a community leader, a friend to all, a mother to many, and a guide in troubled times to a few. She called on all of us to follow her example of leading with love.

“Be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity.”

We can only hope that the Catholic Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral administrators, and its members can live by the example that Cecilia set forth.