Pose star Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52.
The actress and transgender activist passed away on Tuesday morning, although no cause of death has been revealed.
A statement on her Instagram page reads: ‘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.
Pose star Cecilia Gentili has died aged 52 – no cause of death has been revealed
‘At this time, we’re asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve.’
Gentili was a well-known advocate for the rights of transgender people and sex workers around the world.
And GLAAD, the LGBTQIA advocacy group, has already taken to social media to heap praise on the actress.
GLAAD said on Instagram: ‘We are devastated to hear about the death of Cecilia Gentili.
‘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 organisation also noted that Gentili – who was born in Argentina but subsequently moved to New York City – sought to create ‘visibility and acceptance’ for the LGBTQIA community.
The statement said: ‘In the anthology, Surviving Transphobia, Cecilia wrote about growing up under dictatorship in Argentina, about being inspired by American movies to be her authentic self. She poured that passion for visibility and acceptance into her life and many others.’
Gentili played the part of Miss Orlando, a woman who offered discounted plastic surgery to trans women, in the first season of ‘Pose’.
A statement on her Instagram page reads: ‘Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit’
Several other Pose actors and politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez paid their respects to Cecilia after her death was announced
The actress also won the American Library Association’s 2023 Stonewall Book Award for her memoir, ‘Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn’t My Rapist’.
Several other Pose actors paid their respects to Cecilia after her death was announced.
Angelica Ross wrote: ‘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 added: ‘Rest in power Cecilia,’ while Hailie Sahar wrote: ‘Rest well beautiful. Your talent was unmatched and your humanity shined bright.’
Politician Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez wrote: ‘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.’
