Controversy at St. Patrick's: Funeral for Trans Activist Sparks Church Condemnation

The funeral of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York drew over 1,000 mourners and sparked controversy as church leaders denounced the event, calling it a scandal. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral, while the family defended the gathering as a defiance of the church’s hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred. Gentili was celebrated as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community and a leading advocate for transgender people, sex workers, and those with HIV. The funeral also featured a performance by "Pose" actor Billy Porter, which drew criticism from conservative groups.