Pose star and transgender activist Cecilia Gentili has sadly passed away aged 52.
A statement shared on the late actress' Instagram page revealed that she tragically died on Tuesday morning (February 6), although no cause of death has been disclosed.
"Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit," the announcement read. "Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity."
Fans can expect "more updates about services and what is to come in the following days," adding: "At this time, we’re asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve."
Read the post below:The late actress, who came out in 1984, grew up in Argentina. She received asylum in the United States in 2012, where she fought for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, sex workers, and undocumented immigrants, according to Playbill.
Gentili later landed a role on the first season of Pose - a TV series following trans women of color amidst the AIDS crisis in 1980s NYC - as Miss Orlando, a woman who provides discounted plastic surgery to trans women.
In 2022, she released her debut book, Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn't My Rapist, which won a Stonewall Book Award. She also debuted her autobiographical off-Broadway show based on the book, Red Ink, the following year.
In 2023, Gentili created and co-organized Transmissions Fest, the first all-trans music festival in NYC, with the profits going to LGBTQ+ charities.
LGBTQIA+ advocacy group GLAAD also announced the heartbreaking news on their Instagram page, honoring Gentili for her lifelong service in the trans community.
"We are devastated to hear about the death of Cecilia Gentili," they wrote. "Cecilia was a pillar in the trans community, a dedicated advocate, a striking actress on the hit TV program 'Pose,' an incredible journalist, and a sex worker."
The organization noted that the late star worked with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, Callen Lorde, and the APICHA Community Health Center in NYC, and later was managing director of policy for GMHC.
She also founded Trans Equity Consulting and teamed with many prominent institutions on transgender and gender nonbinary rights, as well as being a founding member of Decrim NY, a coalition working toward the "decriminalization, decarceration, and destigmatization" of sex workers.
GLAAD shared that the Argentine-born star's anthology, Surviving Transphobia, was about her life under dictatorship and how she was "inspired by American movies to be her authentic self".
"Cecilia just celebrated her 52nd birthday, surrounded by friends, loved ones, and community," they wrote. "She poured that passion for visibility and acceptance into her life and many others."
The trans activist's co-stars in the Ryan Murphy drama expressed their condolences on the social media platform.
Angelica Ross (who played Candy Ferocity) heartfully penned: "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."
MJ Rodriguez (who starred as Blanca Evangelista) added: "Rest in power Cecilia," while Hailie Sahar (Lulu Abundance) wrote: "Rest well beautiful. Your talent was unmatched and your humanity shined bright.'"
Politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez also shared: "Utterly heartbroken. Our community will never be the same without you, Cecilia. Thank you for giving us so much, relentlessly, every single day. You transformed so many lives and shined a light across Jackson Heights, Corona, and beyond. Que en paz descanse (rest in peace)."
Our thoughts are with Gentili's family, friends, and fans at this time.