Assembly Resolution No. 2296
BY: M. of A. Gonzalez-Rojas
MOURNING the death of Cecilia Gentili, successful
advocate, talented actress, and cherished community
member
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili of Marine Park in Brooklyn, New York, died
on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at the age of 52; and
WHEREAS, Born January 31, 1972, in Galvez, Argentina, Cecilia
Gentili later migrated to the United States in 2000; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili distinguished herself in her profession and
by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
her community; and
WHEREAS, The life of Cecilia Gentili was marked by an unrelenting
dedication to advocacy on behalf of transgender people, sex workers, and
the LGBTQIA+ community at large; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili's first job was with the Apicha Community
Health Center in Manhattan, where she worked as an HIV peer navigator,
and then as the trans health program coordinator, managing a clinic
which grew from four patients to more than 500 during her tenure; and
WHEREAS, Growing ever more passionate about her clients' welfare,
Cecilia Gentili went on to become the managing director of policy at
GMHC, formerly called the Gay Men's Health Crisis, which was dedicated
to the prevention of AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Remarkably ambitious and dedicated in service to members of
her community, Cecilia Gentili founded Trans Equity Consulting in early
2019, which advises companies on equity issues and serves as an advocate
for trans women of color, sex workers, immigrants, and incarcerated
people; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Cecilia Gentili was a triumphant lobbyist,
with numerous legislative achievements; she lobbied for the passage of
the New York State Gender Expression and Discrimination Act, which
became law in 2019, and the repeal of the so-called Walking While Trans
Ban, which had prohibited loitering for the purpose of prostitution and
had disproportionately targeted trans women and women of color; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili was also one of two lead plaintiffs in a
successful lawsuit against the federal government which had tried to
roll back trans protections enshrined in the Affordable Care Act; at her
death, she had been lobbying to decriminalize sex work and helping to
draft legislation that would do so through another of her organizations,
DecrimNY; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili was instrumental in the development of two
statewide bills to provide survivors of trafficking with record relief
and to end the criminalization of loitering - a charge overwhelmingly
leveled against transgender women, regardless of their involvement in
the sex trade; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili, in a truly cathartic and creative
experience, published her first book in 2022, which is a coming-of-age
tale structured as letters to her friends, family, and tormentors from
her past; and
WHEREAS, In 2023, Cecilia Gentili co-organized Transmissions Fest,
the first all-trans music festival in New York City, with proceeds
benefiting LGBTQIA+ charities; and
WHEREAS, Among her many endeavors, Cecilia Gentili was the creator
and director of two theater productions, Red Ink, and The Knife Cuts
Both Ways; the former was a stand-up rendition of stories regarding her
search for faith as a trans woman, and the latter being an
autobiographical take on one trans woman's queer multicultural
experience; and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili was also cast in the popular television
series, "Pose," about the drag ball culture of the 1980s, which also
covered such important topics to which she spent her life advocating and
teaching about, such as HIV/AIDS and the adversities which transgender
people often experience, as well as highlighted the beautiful moments
and experiences which come with being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community;
and
WHEREAS, Cecilia Gentili's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including
charitable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Cecilia Gentili leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served, befriended, and impacted; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Cecilia Gentili, successful advocate, talented
actress, and cherished community member; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Cecilia Gentili.
