Human Rights Campaign’s Trans Justice Initiative Launches Grant in Memory of Trans Activist Cecilia Gentili

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), the educational arm of the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, and the Trans Justice Initiative (TJI) program, are proud to announce the launch of the Cecilia Gentili grant in partnership with the late trans activist's organization, Trans Equity Consulting (TEC). Alianza Translatinx (ATL), the first transgender-led organization by transgender people of color in Orange County, CA, is the inaugural recipient of the grant. With the support of TJI, this annual grant will continue to provide support to the Latiné trans community through subsequent grants.

Founding TEC in 2019 after serving as the Director of Policy at The Gay Men's Health Crisis, the world's first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, Cecilia Gentili chose to use her platform to bring awareness to the plight of the trans community. Following Cecilia's untimely death, the TJI team was compelled to honor Cecilia's legacy by continuing her life's work through advocating for those within the trans community seeking to build a better future for themselves.

"We were elated to work with the Trans Equity Consulting team in choosing a grant recipient that reflected the values of the Trans Justice Initiative and our efforts to help the Black and Brown transgender and gender nonconforming communities," said HRC Trans Justice Initiative Director Tori Cooper. "Cecilia was a beautiful light and through this grant we can keep her memory alive by providing funding to Latiné advocacy groups that are pushing to establish equity for the next generation of trans activists."

As the first Latiné focused trans led advocacy group in the Orange County area, Alianza Translatinx truly represents Cecilia's culture and mission. Founded by four transgender Latinx women-Khloe Rios-Wyatt, Cinthya Espinosa, Rachel Pozos, and Leslie Jimenez-ATL aims to uplift the transgender and gender non-conforming community through its social justice efforts. The connection to the TJI sponsored grant is deepened by ATL's relationship with Ceclia with her sitting on their Board of Directors and spearheading of capacity-building trainings through the Transgender Strategy Center initiative.

"Alianza Translatinx is deeply honored to accept this grant from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and extends heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported us, especially Cecilia Gentili," said Alianza Translatinx President and CEO Khloe Rios-Wyatt. "Cecilia's impactful work with the broader Transgender, Gender non-conforming and Intersex (TGI) community has been nothing short of transformative and this recognition reflects the collective effort and dedication of our team and community. Cecilia's involvement with Alianza Translatinx has deeply resonated within the TGI community in Orange County, thanks to her visionary approach and unwavering dedication. Her pride in promoting our mission and her role as a change maker have left an indelible mark, propelling ATL to new heights and inspiring positive change for our community."

Transgender Equity Consulting seeks to develop LGBTQ affirming services, establishing genuine equity in the workplace, and shepherding in new generations of change makers. Our work is committed to building the leadership of trans women of color, and to the centering of sex workers, immigrants and incarcerated peoples as experts in creating a more just world.

Alianza Translatinx is the first transgender-led organization by transgender people of color in Orange County, CA. We were born out of the necessity to create and promote inclusiveness for the transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community in Orange County (OC) in California. Alianza Translatinx was founded by four transgender Latinx women: Khloe Rios-Wyatt, Cinthya Espinosa, Rachel Pozos, and Leslie Jimenez. Our leadership, which is representative of the people we serve, worked voluntarily during the first two years to help improve the quality of life for transgender and gender- nonconforming people of color in OC.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public's understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

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