Trans-Activist's Family Demands Apology from St. Patrick's Cathedral

The family of a trans activist and former sex worker whose funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was abruptly cut short have denied that the church was duped into holding the ceremony — with some loved ones calling for an apology from the archdiocese.

St. Patrick’s officials have said they had no idea about Cecilia Gentili’s background before agreeing to hold a funeral Mass for her on Feb. 15, when she was eulogized as the “mother of all whores” and was pictured with a halo over her head surrounded by the words “transvestite” and “whore.”

But in a statement, Gentili’s family members denied that they ever deceived the church about the activist’s background.