Trans, Latina writer Camila Concepción has died by suicide at the age of 28
Concepción was the writers' assistant for Netflix's 'Gentefied' series
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
The trans Latina writer, actor and activist Camila Concepción – who worked on the Netflix series Gentefied and Daybreak – has died by suicide at the age of 28.
Concepción was a staff writer on the zombie series as well as serving as a writers’ assistant on Gentefied – a show about three Mexican American cousins.
But according to Variety, Concepción – who was a trans and Latina activist – sadly took her own life last week at the age of 28.
In a statement, the Gentefied staff said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of Camila Concepción.
“She was hired as our writers’ assistant on Gentefied but quickly made her way into our hearts as a sister, writer and friend.
“She co-wrote episode 109 ‘Protest Tacos’ and we were so blown away by her amazing talent and unique voice.
“She was definitely a force to be reckoned with and we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our brightest stars.”
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Linda Yvette Chávez – co-writer of Gentefied – took to Instagram following news of her passing and said: “Camila, mi amor, I can’t seem to write these words without bursting into tears. I can’t believe I’m writing these words at all.
“Because you’re supposed to be here, Camila. You were supposed to be there Thursday and you weren’t. And I texted you because I was worried. Because you were missing.
“A big part of this dream was missing and i should have known… I should have listened to that voice inside that said something was wrong… My love, you were brilliant. You were powerful. You were a creator.
“Marvin and I were ready to champion to the ends of the earth. The first time you sat in that room with us a year and a half ago you were magnetic.
“You told story like you were spinning cotton candy. The sweetness enveloping the jagged edges of a woman looking to heal.
“My girl from El Monte who went to Yale who loved her girl from Norwalk who went to Stanford. And we trauma-bonded over being the only ones in a sea of whiteness.
“Over leaving our hoods and doing better and doing right by our mamis. You were an angel God sent me.
“I’ll never forget the first text you sent me filled with so much love, respect, and adoration.
“You said you looked up to me but in words that felt like they were coming from the universe itself because you always seemed to send them when I needed them most.
“When I was struggling with making the show and was having a hard time believing in myself.
“You were this angel that would pop into my messages or into my office and say exactly what I needed to hear… and did I ever thank you for that? I thought I did but now I can’t remember.
“And fuck I hope I did. You were a light. A brilliant light that struggled to shine in the midst of the darkness in this world.
“But I saw you, girl. I fucking saw you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I knew you were fucking magic and I wanted the world to devour your magnificence the way you deserved.
“Baby, you were going to have a show on HBO. I needed that show. I needed your voice.
“Your story. Your wisdom. Your fucking fierce wit and fearless IDGAF fervor. You should be here.”
Concepción – who was from the Inland Empire – worked closely with Jill Soloway, the creator of Transparent, to advance the 50/50 by 2020 initiative, a campaign for gender parity in the industry.
In a statement, Netflix said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Camila Concepción.
“She made bold and critical contributions to our industry, most recently through her incredible writing on Gentefied, and her legacy will live on through her work.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends in this time of loss.”