“Pose” star and transgender activist Cecilia Gentili died on Tuesday at the age of 52.
The tragic news was shared on the actress’ Instagram page — though her cause of death has yet to be made public.
“Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit,” the statement 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.”
“At this time, we’re asking for privacy, time, and space to grieve,” the statement concluded.
Soon after, LGBTQIA+ advocacy group GLAAD also announced the news on their Instagram, praising Gentili for her commitment to 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.”
They noted that Gentili “just celebrated her 52nd birthday, surrounded by friends, loved ones, and community.”
According to the nonprofit, Gentili worked alongside several different organizations, even founding Trans Equity Consulting and Decrim NY — “a coalition working toward decriminalization, decarceration, and destigmatization of sex workers.”
She also released a memoir titled “Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn’t My Rapist” in 2022, which won the American Library Association’s 2023 Stonewall Book Award.
Gentili, who came out in the mid ’80s, grew up in Argentina and received asylum in the United States in 2012, per Playbill.
She later landed a role on the first season of “Pose,” in which she played Miss Orlando, a woman that provides discounted plastic surgery to trans women.
Following the news of her passing, several of her co-stars, including Dominique Jackson, shared emotional tributes to the late actress on social media.
“AN ACTIVIST, AN ICON, A TRAILBLAZER, A MOTHER, A WIFE, AN ACTRESS AND COMEDIAN, AN AMAZING SISTER AND A PHENOMENAL HUMAN BEING!
