When I first heard Andrea Gibson’s poetry, it felt like a warm hand reaching through the words to hold mine. Their voice—raw, tender, and fearless—spoke to anyone who’s ever felt lost or afraid. On July 14, 2025, the world lost this extraordinary queer poet and Colorado Poet Laureate to ovarian cancer at age 49. In this Andrea Gibson news post, I want to honor their life, share the news of their passing, and celebrate a legacy that still lights the way for so many. Let’s explore who Andrea was and why their words matter.
A Poet’s Life of Love and Truth
Andrea Gibson, born in Calais, Maine, in 1975, found their home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1999. They became a spoken-word legend, winning the 2008 Women of the World Poetry Slam and earning four Denver Grand Slam titles. Using they/them pronouns, Gibson identified as genderqueer, weaving their experiences of queerness, mental health, and social justice into seven poetry collections, like Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns (2008) and You Better Be Lightning. Their seven spoken-word albums, including Swarm and Truce, brought audiences to tears and cheers with their electric performances.
Gibson’s poetry wasn’t just art—it was a lifeline. They tackled gender norms, love, grief, and politics with a vulnerability that made you feel seen. As comedian Tig Notaro said, watching Gibson perform was like seeing “a rock star” who moved entire rooms with their heart. Their openness about their 2021 ovarian cancer diagnosis, shared through Substack posts and talks, showed their courage in facing mortality while uplifting others.
The Heartbreaking News of Their Passing
On July 14, 2025, Andrea Gibson passed away at 4:16 a.m. in their Boulder home, surrounded by their wife, poet Megan Falley, their parents, four ex-partners, friends, and their three cherished dogs. Megan announced the news on social media, sharing that one of Gibson’s final words was, “I f—— loved my life.” After a four-year battle with aggressive ovarian cancer, diagnosed in August 2021 and recurring in 2022 and 2023, Gibson faced their illness with grace, even writing poetry like The Lifegiving Benefits of Befriending Our Mortality to find joy in hardship.
Tributes flooded in from fans, poets, and friends. On X, Boulder Book Store wrote, “Andrea was a favorite author of many of our staff.” A mother shared that her transgender son said, “Mom, Andrea saved my life,” reflecting the poet’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Writer Joseph Fasano called them “brilliant,” and singer Mary Lambert mourned, “I can’t imagine this world without Andrea, but here we are.” Their words gave courage to those facing cancer, identity struggles, or loss, reminding us, as Gibson wrote, “Dying is the opposite of leaving.”
A Legacy That Lives On
As Colorado’s 10th Poet Laureate, named in 2023 by Governor Jared Polis, Gibson was the first openly non-binary person in the role. They saw it as a chance to champion chronically ill and disabled poets, saying, “I want others to know they are mortal.” Their poetry, like Love Letter From the Afterlife, explored love and loss with lines like, “My heart is covered in stretch marks from living so fully.” They co-founded Stay Here With Me, an interactive mental health platform, and edited We Will Be Shelter (2019), a poetry anthology for social justice.
Their 2024 documentary, Come See Me in the Good Light, directed by Ryan White, won the Festival Favorite Award at Sundance 2025. It followed Gibson and Falley through their cancer journey, featuring an original song by Gibson, Sara Bareilles, and Brandi Carlile. At a Sundance screening, Gibson, not expecting to survive to see it, moved audiences deeply. The film, set to stream on Apple TV+ this fall, captures their love and resilience.
Ways to Honor Andrea Gibson
Andrea’s words are a gift that keeps giving. Here’s how you can celebrate their legacy:
- Read Their Poetry: Pick up Lord of the Butterflies or Take Me With You at a local bookstore or library.
- Watch Their Documentary: Stream Come See Me in the Good Light on Apple TV+ to witness their story.
- Share on Social Media: Post a favorite line or poem on X with #AndreaGibson to spread their light.
- Support LGBTQ+ Arts: Donate to organizations like Rocky Mountain Equality, which Gibson championed.
Carrying Their Light Forward
Andrea Gibson’s poetry taught me that vulnerability is strength, that love outlives loss. Their passing leaves a quiet ache, but their words—sharp, soft, and true—remind us to live fully. As they wrote, “The spaces between our breaths are where we find the courage to keep going.” Share a Gibson poem that touched you in the comments, or join our newsletter for more stories of inspiring lives.
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FAQ: What happened to Andrea Gibson? Andrea Gibson, a queer poet and Colorado Poet Laureate, passed away on July 14, 2025, at 49 from ovarian cancer. Their poetry and activism continue to inspire through books and the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light.