A Voice That Shaped A Generation
Andrea Gibson died On July 14, 2025. They were 49 Years Old and had Been Fighting Ovarian Cancer For four Years. Andrea Was A Spoken-word poet And LGBTQ+ Activist. They lived in Boulder, Colorado, but people around the world knew them. Andrea’s poems talked about gender, grief, love, and being sick. Their words helped many people feel seen and strong.
Who Was Andrea Gibson
Andrea Gibson was born in 1975 in Calais, Maine. In the late 1990s, they moved to Boulder, Colorado. They became a popular poet in the spoken-word world. Andrea wrote about important topics like mental health, gender identity, and politics. They stood up for queer and non-binary people.
In 2023, Andrea became Colorado’s 10th Poet Laureate. The governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, said Andrea had a strong spirit and creative voice. As Poet Laureate, they helped others share their stories too.
A Lifeline for the LGBTQ+ Community
Andrea’s poems were about real emotions. They wrote books like Take Me With You and Lord of the Butterflies. These books helped many people understand queer love and transgender life. One mother said Andrea’s poems helped save her transgender child’s life. Many people found comfort in Andrea’s words—online, on stage, and in schools. Their poems gave hope to those who were hurting.
Facing Death, Creating Light
In 2021, Andrea learned They had Terminal Cancer. They Were open About it And Wrote Poems To help deal with the Pain. One Poem called How The Worst Day of My Life Became My Best showed How Andrea Found light even in Sadness.
In another line, Andrea wrote, “Dying is the opposite of leaving… I am more here than I ever was before.” That line gave comfort to many people who were facing death or loss. Andrea helped people talk about sickness and grief without fear. They made others feel less alone.
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Come See Me in the Good Light
A Documentary of Love and Legacy
Andrea’s last days were filmed in a movie called Come See Me in the Good Light. It was made by Ryan White and shown at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film shows Andrea and their wife, Megan Falley, as they go through Andrea’s illness together. The movie won an award at the festival. It will be on Apple TV+ later this year. Andrea also wrote a song with Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile for the movie.
Tributes Pour In: An Icon Remembered
After Andrea died, people around the world paid tribute. Comedian Tig Notaro called Andrea “a rock star of language and truth.”
Fans in cities like Toronto, London, and Sydney shared poems and tattoos. Online communities like TikTok and Reddit held events to honor Andrea. In many places, people read Andrea’s poems out loud to remember them.
The Enduring Power of Poetry
Andrea’s poems are still helping people. Schools use their work to teach gender and identity. LGBTQ+ events and rallies share their poems too. Andrea’s honesty and bravery in writing inspire new poets and activists. Their work will continue to support and guide people.
Conclusion
A Legacy Etched in Verse
Andrea Gibson showed how to live and die with truth. Their poems talked about deep feelings—love, death, identity, and hope. They went from a small town in Maine to worldwide fame through poetry. Even though they are gone, their words are still here. Andrea’s poems will keep healing and inspiring people for many years