Celebration of life held for transgender activist, performer Cecilia Gentili

St Patrick's Cathedral was packed today for the celebration of life for a legendary transgender activist and performer Cecilia gtii CBS 2's Natalie dudd spoke with family and friends who called her a true champion of equality and inclusion CIA Cecilia chanting the name of their dear friend Cecilia gentiy loved On's pack St Pat's Cathedral dressed to the nines to say goodbye to the fierce advocate of the trans community I met Cecilia the first day I walked into a clinic to start my transition um

Cecilia became my mother she guided me to the very last breath she [Music] took actor singer and fashion icon Billy Porter performed a tribute as a procession carried genti's casket into the church except on Easter Sunday we don't really have a crowd that this that is this well turned out gtii was born in Argentina in 1972 her family says she came to the US two decades ago as an undocumented immigrant who was homeless and forced into sex work but they say she was determined to create a better li

fe we owe her so much her work with um undocumented immigrants her work with sex workers who were work for trans women and trans women of color working-class trans wom specifically was incredible genti established the healthcare clinic coin for Cecilia's occupational inclusion Network raised millions of dollars for Trans Health Care developed Statewide policies for the protections of trans people Governor hokel posted on the social media platform X New York's lgbtq plus Community has lost a cham

pion in trans icon Cecilia gtii she also created the first trans music festival and performed in the hit TV show pose don't be jealous of a perfect M she did an interview with CBS 2 back in 2021 when you give people an opportunity and all the things that they need to shine they can do it Advocates say even her service held at this historic Catholic Church reflects the progress of inclusivity and acceptance Cecilia was always a fighter she was a one to say that we belong in these spaces you know

spaces that were NE neily built for us but you know here we are you know at St Patrick's Cathedral loved ones sent made such an impact on this community the city and Beyond her Legacy will be felt for years to come it's up to all of us all of New York right now to not fill that Gap but just to carry on what she gave to all of us she leaves behind countless friends many who called themselves her chosen family and her longtime partner she was really an angel all of of these people here are here to

show it and say it and I want you to know it I want the world to know it but to me she was my partner we woke up every day we had so much laughter and love and I'm going to take that with me forever baby gtii died on February 6th at her home in Brooklyn her cause of death is unknown she was 52 thank you for this in Midtown Natalie dudd CBS 2 News