Cecilia Gentili , a renowned LGBTQ+ rights advocate, author and actor best known for her portrayal of Miss Orlando on “Pose,” has died. She was 52.
Gentili’s death was confirmed in a post shared on her Instagram account late Tuesday.
“Our beloved Cecilia Gentili passed away this morning to continue watching over us in spirit,” the post read. “Please be gentle with each other and love one another with ferocity.”
A cause of death was not announced.
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from elected officials as well as fellow advocates.
“New York’s LGBTQ+ community has lost a champion in trans icon Cecilia Gentili,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) wrote on X , formerly Twitter. “As an artist and steadfast activist in the trans rights movement, she helped countless people find love, joy, and acceptance. Our hearts are with her loved ones in this difficult time.”
At the time of Cecilia Gentili’s death, the LGBTQ+ rights advocate, author and actor had been planning to return to the New York stage.