Andrea Gibson, a spoken-word poet and queer activist, has died. She was 49 years old.
Gibson died Monday morning in their Boulder, Colorado home from ovarian cancer. Gibson was diagnosed with in 2021.
Their wife, Megan Falley, announced Gibson’s death on Instagram.
“Andrea Gibson died in their home (in Boulder, Colorado) surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends, and their three beloved dogs,” the post reads.
“Whenever I leave this world, whether it’s sixty years from now, I wouldn’t want anyone to say I lost some battle. I’ll be a winner that day,” reads a quote from Gibson included with the post.
The post from Gibson’s loved ones said one of the last things they said was, “I f—— loved my life.”
Gibson was born in Maine and came out while studying at St. Joseph’s College of Maine before heading west.
Gibson began participating in poetry readings as a way to meet people after moving to Colorado in the late 1990s.
“I was absolutely terrified. My hands were shaking so much my voice couldn’t be heard over the rattling of the paper I was holding,” Gibson wrote. But I was hooked…I never felt so welcomed and at home anywhere.”
They were the writer of several books and spoken word albums, the winner of numerous slam poetry competitions and the co-founder of Stay Here With Me, an “interactive safe space.”
Gov. Jared Polis named Gibson Colorado’s 10th poet laureate in 2023.
Gibson was frank about how the cancer diagnosis had changed their life receiving the honor.
“Knowing that I could die any day saved my life,” they wrote. “Understanding, really understanding the brevity of this existence, has given me more gratitude, awe, and joy than I thought would be possible for me in this lifetime. I wish that joy for everyone. (Minus the cancer.)”
Gibson and Falley are featured in the upcoming Apple TV+ documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” which won the Festival Favorite Award this year at Sundance.
“It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Andrea Gibson, an inspiring poet and Colorado’s current poet laureate,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. “Renowned for inspiring poetry, advocacy for arts in education, and unique ability to connect with the vast and diverse poetry lovers of Colorado, Andrea was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by personal friends as well (as) all who were touched by their poetry. My thoughts go out to Andrea’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
With News Wire Services
