On 14 July the Colorado Poet Laureate passed away “surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother, father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs”
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE VIA INSTAGRAM (@ANDREAGIBSON)
Andrea Gibson is a celebrated poet and performance artist. Their work frequently explores gender, politics, life, death and their terminal ovarian cancer diagnosis. The trailblazing spoken word performer passed away yesterday (Monday 14 July) at the age of 49.
Part of Andrea’s legacy will be the way in which their poetry, words and the way they lived their life influenced non-binary, trans and queer youth. So many of whom felt less isolated after hearing Andrea speak their experiences into existence with their head held high.
The world-touring artist was the Colorado Poet Laureate, author of seven poetry books, seven spoken word albums and the main subject of the documentary Come And See Me In The Good Light. The film won the Festival Film Favourite Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It follows Andrea and Megan, their lives and love story, and the way in which Andrea’s diagnosis impacted them.
Announcing the news on social media, Andrea’s wife, Megan Falley quoted Andrea’s own words: “Whenever I leave this word, whether it’s 60 years from now, I wouldn’t want anyone to say I lost the battle. I’ll be a winner that day.”
Following this, the post read: “Andrea Gibson was a winner today. On July 14th, at 4:16AM, Andrea Gibson died in their home surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs.”
The post commemorated the way in which Andrea had lived their life since their diagnosis in 2021. “Andrea has been a champion of finding beauty in unlikely places and gratitude in the hardest hours. Over the last four years, they danced with their diagnosis, and continually aimed their internal compass toward joy. One of the last things Andrea said on this plane was, ‘I fucking loved my life.'”
The post also quoted their poem Love Letter From The Afterlife: “I am more here than I ever was before. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined.”
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