Her funeral, the day after Valentines Day, was the fashion event of the year.
Every room she entered fell under her spell because Gentili was a born performer.
And make no mistakeshe was a mother.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Ceyenne Doroshow
Its fitting, then, that her funeral kicked off with a song by herPoseco-star Billy Porter.
Cecilia, the crowd chanted back.
Now give Cecilia a standing ovation, Doroshow prompted.
Ceyenne Doroshow
The crowd went wild during the ceremony when Gentili was crowned Santa Cecilia, Madre de la Putas.
Its Cecilia day, artist and organizer Rio Sofia said.
Shes an immigrant, so its international.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Its a day to celebrate the fact that we flooded St. Patricks Cathedral with trans people.
That was nothing less than historic.
Cecilia was never a victim, Rio Sofia recently wrote online.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Sex work, to Gentili, was work just like any other.
The audience, Gentilis husband Peter Scotto said, was a testament to how awesome this woman was.
The legends that surround the Argentinian-born Gentili are endless.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
She was banned from Brazil but never said publicly why.
Cecilia redefined what motherhood is, her daughter and professional collaborator Oscar Diaz said at her memorial last week.
And make no mistakeshe was a mother.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
She was many things to many people including an incredible care giver.
She insisted on not being as well dressed as my mom.
People dont understand how trans family structures work.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
She was a mother.
The painterCielo Felix-Hernandezalso confided in Cecilia Gentili.
We shared a lot of similarities with our origin.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
I found a matriarch in her.
I never assigned that to her, I felt like she was a close friend.
Ill never forget that.
She was always embraced.
When Iinterviewed Gentiliin 2022, she spoke lovingly of Scotto and the life theyd built together.
For many of us, meeting Cecilia was just like that: coming home.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Just last fall, she wasarrested in Grand Central Stationalongside Indya Moore during a pro-Palestine protest.
you should probably be the Cecilia in someone elses life, Zanell told me.
Cecilia once screamed at a party.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Sometimes it doesnt take much, you just have to show up!
Showing up was crucial.
She was open to everyone.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
I want all the faggotry.
She was always honoring someone, calling someone up, calling someone into the fold.
When we spoke shortly before the publication ofFaltas, she told me Ive always been humble.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
But fuck itIve done some good things in life.
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
Photographed by Ryan McGinley
