Entertainment
Pose star and activist Cecilia Gentili dies aged 52-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
‘Even in death you are force to be reckoned with,’ her Pose co-star wrote in tribute.
![Pose star and activist Cecilia Gentili dies aged 52-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1499287791.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594)
‘Even in death you are force to be reckoned with,’ her Pose co-star wrote in tribute (Picture: John Nacion/Getty Images)
Trans activist Cecilia Gentili, who starred in the TV series Pose as Ms Orlando, has died aged 52.
The announcement of Gentili’s death was made in a statement shared on her Instagram profile, which urged people to ‘love one another with ferocity’.
The message read: ‘Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit.
‘Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity.
‘We will be sharing more updates about services and what is to come in the following days.
‘At this time, we’re asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve.’
Gentili’s character in Pose, Ms Orlando, was depicted as a shady plastic surgeon in the drama, who gave Candy (Angelica Ross) silicone injections in the first season.
In the second season, she helped Elektra (Dominique Jackson) to hide a dead body in her closet.
Gentili was a staunch advocate for the rights of sex workers and transgender people.
Born in the Argentinian city of Gálvez, Santa Fe in 1972, she became a US citizen in 2022.
As part of her activism work, was a co-founder the Callen-Lord Community Health Center in 2021, which offers ‘sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities – in all their diversity – regardless of ability to pay’.
Gentili pictured in 2018 on the steps of New York’s City Hall as the assistant policy director at GMHC (Picture: Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Pose star Jackson paid tribute to Gentili in a post shared on Instagram, writing in her caption alongside a black-and-white picture of her late co-star: ‘I am deeply saddened by your departure dear sister!
‘Even in death you are force to be reckoned with, your legacy one of movement, love and compassion unapologetic and true.
‘I thank you dearly for ALL the work you have done. You sacrificed you boldly telling your truth and living it and for that you have changed and influenced many lives and the world.
‘I LOVE YOU FOREVER BEAUTIFUL STRONG SISTER! REST WELL! @ceciliagentili72 YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED!’
Tributes have poured in for the late actress and activist (Picture: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for HBO)
Ross wrote in a comment underneath the announcement of Gentili’s death: ‘OMG…I’m so glad I saw video of her recent bday party and she was surrounded by so much love and community. Such a fierce advocate. Rest in Power ❤️ 🕊️.’
Fellow Pose star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez said: ‘Rest in power Cecilia 🙏🏽,’ while And Just Like That star Sara Ramirez added: ‘I’m so sorry for this deep deep loss. I still can’t believe it.
‘Thank you Cecilia for all of your love and energy and spirit. We love you so much and always will. 💔♥️.’
Gentili served as the director of policy at GMHC, an organisation fighting to bring an end to Aids.
She was a co-founder of DecrimNY, an organisation committed to decriminalising sex work, and she also founded Trans Equity Consulting.
A memorial was held in Gentili’s honour at Judson Memorial Church in New York.
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