Celebrating Cecilia by

2024-02-28 17:48:20 UTC

Cecilia brought such an amazing energy to every interaction. I feel grateful that I got to work with her on a proposal recently because it focused so much on her expertise and gave me the opportunity to learn more about her life and her incredible work. Now when I think of her I keep hearing how she said "fabulous" in my head, because although I could never do justice in putting her accomplishments on paper - she was so gracious and always left our conversations on that note. I feel lucky to have known Cecilia, and am forever grateful for all she did to make this world a better place for my child.

- Rebecca Russell-Fennell

2024-02-28 17:48:47 UTC

My DISQ colleagues and I had the pleasure of working with Cecilia last summer for an Office Hours presentation on gender-affirming data collection practices for Ryan White agencies. Cecilia had expressed that this topic was close to her heart, and that was clear in the detailed presentation she gave, which was complete with a “dream form” she designed based on her own experiences in healthcare settings. Our audience has never responded more enthusiastically to a presenter than they did with Cecilia. In our evaluation survey, nearly every comment was about her portion of the presentation, highlighting the importance of centering lived experience in our work, even in the “dryer” realms of data management. As a huge Pose fan, I was always so proud and excited to tell people that I worked alongside Cecilia. She was such an asset to CAI and I hope we can continue to expand our work in gender-affirming care to keep her legacy alive here. All my love to her partner and loved ones, and all my thanks to Cecilia for the incredible work she did for decades as an organizer, artist, and community leader. She will be so sincerely missed.

- Ruchi Mehta

2024-02-28 17:49:26 UTC

I had the privilege of working closely with Cecilia to deliver the Implementing Programs for Transgender Women managers' courses -- a project that was deeply personal for her. As a trainer, Cecilia was a diva -- in the absolute best sense of the word. She owned the room and she knew it. Learners were rapt as she peppered the curriculum with sassy commentary and instructive anecdotes from her extraordinary life. She was funny, unflinching, humble, and wise, and she always treated others with kindness and generosity. She pulled people into her orbit, and with a conspiratorial smile made clear we are all in this – the project of creating a more equitable world for transgender women and others -- together. I will miss her greatly.

-Jennifer Freeman Smith

2024-02-28 17:49:38 UTC

Moments after your email yesterday, I found Cecilia’s opinion piece in the NY Times right after the Equality Act was passed. She wrote: “Equality is an endless cake. The more who eat from it, the more there is to share.” Today I’m finding even more meaning in her quote. I see the ways she’s being celebrated, how her art and advocacy and humor are being shared, how she continues to make the world a better place even when she’s no longer part of that world. The more who know and knew Cecilia, the more right there is than wrong, the more light than dark.

-Clare Fredrich

2024-02-28 17:49:49 UTC

I had the immense pleasure of working with Cecilia on DEI and Trans initiatives. I looked forward to every meeting with her, knowing that we’d spend the first 5 minutes not talking about work – where Cecilia would drop humorous reflections on the latest trends in queer culture, her excitement of building her life in her new home upstate, and the success of her off-Broadway show. Cecilia approached every meeting with immense generosity and care, always asking me about my professional goals, validating my work, and creating a working relationship in which I felt supported, intelligent, and loved. As an organization, we were so lucky to have the gift of her passion, activism, and kindness. She left an immeasurable mark on this world, one so many will hold for their lifetimes feeling ever inspired by the gift of her life, ended too soon, but lived with so much love.

- Brita Loeb

2024-02-28 17:50:32 UTC

I am so deeply saddened by Cecilia’s passing. I worked with her on the Implementing HIV Prevention Programs for Transgender Women (P4TW) Trainings for the NHCLC. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and was so inspirational and genuine. I will deeply miss her, but I know she passed with leaving such a beautiful impact in this world. Sending much love to her family.

- Ashley Suarez

2024-02-28 17:50:44 UTC

I remember seeing Cecilia for the first time as a keynote speaker in the 2018 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit in Los Angeles, CA. In my head I said “Wow! What an amazing speaker!” never thinking that a few years later I’d be working with her. Cecilia is one of the few people that inspired me to be the best facilitator I could be. I got the opportunity to work closely with her and finally I had the chance to facilitate a session with her at USCHA. What a privilege to have shared the floor with her! Cecilia was not just an amazing colleague, she was a motivator, an inspiration, and positive light. Rest in power to a person that lifted me up every time she could.

-Erika Alfaro

2024-02-28 17:50:54 UTC

Cecilia brought an energy to every encounter I ever had with her that was filled with so much light and enthusiasm. She was one of the most beautiful, hard-working, brilliant, talented, and accomplished people I’ve ever known. Being around someone like that can be very intimidating, but Cecilia’s warmth, ability to connect, and true appreciation for others and the talents they bring to the table only made me love myself a little more when I was around her. I will cherish my memories of Cecilia, a truly extraordinary soul who enriched our lives and made us love ourselves a little more.

- Michelle Hyland

2024-02-28 17:53:13 UTC

Cecilia “poured into people” – that was the way one of the many tributes to her life and legacy put it – and I think for me, too, that’s what inspires me the most about her. I had the privilege not only of meeting Cecilia and working with her on several occasions, but also of witnessing her dedication to her community and her passions, and the compassion and fervor with which she went about her life and work. She lived her life on her own terms, and that’s a courageous thing. Especially in a society that tries in so many ways to push one to the margins for one reason or another. Her light really shined, wherever she went. Reflecting on the brief time I knew her, I take with me the lesson to “pour into” myself and others, live my life on my terms, and hold on very tight to my loved ones. Rest in power, Cecilia.

- Ayo Parker