Andrea Gibson, an author, performer and activist known for their spoken word poetry, died July 14 after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. They were 49.

Gibson died early July 14 at 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,” an announcement on Gibson’s social media said.

“Though Andrea desperately wished to have lived a longer life, they could not have possibly lived a fuller one,” the announcement said.

Gibson was the author of seven poetry books and one of the subjects of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light,” which won the Festival Favorite Award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Known for using their poetry for social commentary and LGBTQ activism, Gibson was also Colorado’s poet laureate.

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Who was Andrea Gibson? About their poetry career

Andrea Gibson was a poet and writer born on August 13, 1975, in Calais, Maine, according to their Academy of American Poets bio. They lived in Longmont, Colorado, at the time of their death on July 14.

Gibson authored seven poetry books, including “You Better Be Lightning,” “Lord of the Butterflies,” “Take Me With You,” “Pansy,” “The Madness Vase” and “Pole Dancing to Gospel Hymns.” With their wife, Megan Falley, they also published the prose book “How Poetry Can Change Your Heart.”

They were a two-time winner of the Independent Publisher’s Award — which honors independently published works — and a three-time Goodreads Choice Awards finalist. Gibson was also a four-time Denver Grand Slam Champion and the first winner of the Women of the World Poetry Slam in 2008.

In 2023, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis named Gibson the state’s ninth poet laureate, a two year post intended to promote an appreciation of poetry, according to a release.

Gibson stars in award-winning documentary ‘Come See Me in the Good Light’

Gibson and their wife, Megan Falley, are the subjects of the 2025 documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light.”

The film, which is directed by Ryan White, follows Gibson and Falley as they face the former’s incurable cancer diagnosis, according to a release from Apple TV+. Its executive producers include a slew of big names including Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Tig Notaro and more.

“Come See Me in the Good Light” premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned the Festival Favorite Award. The film also won the Audience Award at the Boulder International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival and Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. It will debut on Apple TV+ this fall.

The Sundance Film Festival said it was “deeply saddened” by Gibson’s death in a tribute on Instagram.

“With Megan’s unwavering love beside them, Andrea’s story stands as a profound testament to the enduring power of love, art, and resilience,” the tribute said. “Our hearts are with Megan and all who held Andrea close.”

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].