It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Andrea Gibson, a beloved queer spoken word poet whose voice shaped and inspired a generation. Andrea passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, in their home, surrounded by a circle of immense love: their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of cherished friends, and their three beloved dogs.
Andrea Gibson was far more than a poet—they were a revolutionary force in the world of performance poetry, using their gift with words to confront themes of identity, gender, mental health, love, grief, and political justice with unmatched vulnerability and courage. With every line and performance, Andrea cracked open hearts and stitched communities together through shared truth.
A trailblazer in the spoken word world, Andrea was one of the first openly nonbinary poets to gain national acclaim. Their work transcended boundaries—emotional, social, and artistic—and built spaces where queer people, survivors, and those navigating pain could feel seen, held, and understood.
They were a fierce advocate for tenderness and authenticity, once writing:
“The spaces between the things we think we are and the things we think we aren’t are where all the light lives.”
Andrea’s presence—on stage, in their writing, and in life—was radiant, fearless, and unapologetically human. They made poetry feel like a lifeline and reminded us, time and again, that love in all its forms is worth the fight.
As we say goodbye to Andrea, we remember not only their words but the way they lived: with fierce compassion, radical honesty, and unwavering devotion to truth. The world is softer, braver, and more beautiful because Andrea Gibson was in it.
Rest in power, Andrea. Your voice echoes on.
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