Finalist
Cecilia Gentili
Building a New York that celebrates the joy, talent, and resiliency of trans people
- Year
- 2022
- Organization
- Decrim NY
- Sector
- Human Rights, Race & Gender Justice
- Borough
- Brooklyn
Cecilia came undocumented to the U.S. from Argentina to live her dream as an openly transgender woman. Her journey included 10 years as a sex worker, frequent targeting by police, and incarceration. She worked to elevate and protect the trans community — founding Decrim NY to legitimize the sex trades, fighting for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, leading the NEW Pride Agenda, and helping to expand access to health services for transgender people across New York State. Cecilia also founded Trans Equity Consulting in 2019, where she and her team helped organizations care for and connect with trans and queer communities.
A fierce trans activist, writer, actress, and most importantly, family to so many—Cecilia passed away in February 2024. Thank you, Cecilia, for making the world a much better, brighter place.