Andrea Gibson — a celebrated poet and performance artist — passed away from a four-year-long battle with ovarian cancer on Monday, July 14, in their home in Boulder, Colorado. They were 49.
The news was shared through a post on Instagram by Gibson's account in collaboration with their wife, Megan Falley, and their friend, Stef Willen.
Gibson’s poetry explored themes of gender identity, mental health and well-being, love, intimacy, and grief. They inspired an entire generation of LGBTQ+ artists and individuals, and the news of their passing was met with many heartfelt messages.
Oscar-winning Ariana DeBose of West Side Story took to social media to express her condolences. DeBose, who is known for her role as Anita in West Side Story and is an original ensemble cast member of the Broadway musical Hamilton, shared Out Magazine’s announcement on her Instagram and wrote, “Rest in power beautiful human.”
Comments left by friends and fans underneath the Instagram announcement celebrate Gibson’s words and the mark left on the community.
One user wrote, “Your words and your light and your imagination were magical. Thank you. ♥️”
Busy Philipps commented, “the most beautiful human. i’m so grateful to have been alive at the same time as them❤️❤️❤️❤️."
Gibson and Falley are the main subjects of the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, winner of the Festival Favorite Award this year at the Sundance Film Festival. Tig Notaro, comedian, executive producer on the documentary, and longtime friend of Gibson shared the official announcement and a photo of the late poet on Instagram, writing, “The final past few days of Andrea’s life were so painful to witness, but simultaneously, one of the most beautiful experiences of all of our lives.”
For the last two years of Gibson’s life, they served as Colorado state’s poet laureate.