Celebrated Poet Andrea Gibson Passes Away at 49, Leaving Legacy of Love

Andrea Gibson, a renowned poet and performance artist, passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 49. Their death was confirmed through a heartfelt announcement on social media by their wife, Megan Falley. Gibson’s work often delved into themes of gender identity, politics, and personal battles, including a courageous fight against terminal ovarian cancer.

Gibson died at their home in Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by Falley, four ex-girlfriends, family members, friends, and their three beloved dogs. The announcement revealed that Gibson’s final moments were shared with loved ones, reflecting the deep connections they fostered throughout their life.

This year, Gibson and Falley were featured prominently in the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, which won the Festival Favourite Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Ryan White, explores the couple’s enduring love as Gibson faced cancer. It is set to premiere this fall on Apple TV+ and includes an original song co-written by Gibson alongside artists Sara Bareilles and Brandi Carlile. During a moving screening at Sundance earlier this year, Gibson expressed disbelief at living long enough to see the completed documentary.

As news of Gibson’s passing spread, tributes poured in from friends, fans, and fellow poets, many of whom shared how Gibson’s words profoundly impacted their lives. Many in the LGBTQ+ community credited Gibson’s poetry with helping them embrace their identities and love themselves. Individuals battling cancer and other terminal illnesses spoke of how Gibson’s work reassured them about death, emphasizing the idea that love endures beyond physical existence.

In a poem written shortly before their death, titled Love Letter from the Afterlife, Gibson wrote, “Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away.” This sentiment resonated deeply with many who had lost loved ones, providing a source of comfort amid grief.

Linda Williams Stay recalled the transformative experience of hearing Gibson perform in San Francisco a decade ago. The performance sparked a shared passion for poetry with her son, Aiden, who later came out as transgender. Stay reflected on their emotional connection, stating, “My son this morning, when he called, we just sobbed together. He says, ‘Mom, Andrea saved my life.'”

Gibson’s poetry also played a vital role in Stay’s personal journey when she was diagnosed with cancer. Aiden returned home to support her, and they were thrilled when Gibson accepted an invitation to perform at an event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in southern Utah. “It was truly life-changing for our community down there,” Stay noted, emphasizing Gibson’s significant impact on LGBTQ+ youth in smaller communities.

Born in Maine, Gibson relocated to Colorado in the late 1990s and served as the state’s poet laureate for the last two years. Their published works include You Better Be Lightning, Take Me With You, and Lord of the Butterflies. Colorado Governor Jared Polis honored Gibson’s legacy, stating that they possessed “a unique ability to connect with the vast and diverse poetry lovers of Colorado.”

In a reflective essay published in Out magazine in 2017, Gibson shared their coming-out experience at the age of 20 while studying creative writing at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. Identifying as genderqueer, they expressed a sense of belonging in the “in-between,” encapsulated in their poetry: “I am happiest on the road/ When I’m not here or there — but in-between.”

Comedian Tig Notaro, an executive producer of the documentary and a close friend of Gibson for 25 years, took to social media to celebrate their profound influence. Notaro described hearing Gibson perform for the first time as witnessing the “pure essence of an old-school genuine rock star.” She characterized the final days of Gibson’s life as painfully beautiful, surrounded by genuine human connection.

Gibson’s illness spurred a wealth of poetry focusing on themes of mortality, depression, and existential contemplation. In the 2021 poem How the Worst Day of My Life Became My Best, they wrote, “When I realized the storm was inevitable, I made it my medicine.” Just two years later, they posed a poignant question: “Will the afterlife be harder if I remember the people I love, or forget them?”

The legacy of Andrea Gibson endures through their powerful words and the lives they touched. Their contributions to poetry and the LGBTQ+ community will resonate for generations, reminding us of the beauty of love and the importance of connection in the face of life’s greatest challenges.