Queer poet, performer, and activist changing hearts through words
Contrary to baseless online rumors, Andrea Gibson is alive and continues their creative work and advocacy.
"Andrea Gibson remains an active and vital voice in contemporary poetry and queer advocacy. Recent claims about their health or death are completely unfounded and likely stem from confusion with other individuals sharing the Gibson surname."
- Poetry Community Statement
Andrea continues to create new work and perform nationally, most recently appearing at the Boulder Poetry Festival in June 2025.
1975 in Calais, Maine, USA
Queer poet using they/them pronouns
Outside Boulder, Colorado
First winner of the Women's World Poetry Slam
Author of five full-length poetry collections
Seven full-length albums of spoken word poetry
Work featured on BBC, Air America, C-SPAN, and Free Speech TV
Made history as the first winner of this international competition, bringing spoken word poetry to new audiences.
Published critically acclaimed collection that sold over 20,000 copies worldwide and established them as a leading voice in contemporary poetry [4](@ref).
Published first non-fiction work with Chronicle Books, exploring poetry's transformative power [4](@ref).
Released highly anticipated poetry collection through Button Poetry, receiving widespread critical praise [4](@ref).
"Andrea Gibson seamlessly spins hopelessness into hope, fires back at social norms, and challenges what it means to be alive and to be human"
- Them Magazine
"Andrea Gibson's poetry... will make you feel seen and heard and beautifully articulated..."
- Huffington Post
Working on a forthcoming collection exploring themes of resilience and queer joy
Continues to tour nationally with their spoken word performances
Featured on several podcasts discussing poetry's role in social change
"My poetry comes from the deepest places of vulnerability - that's where connection happens."
"Every poem is political. Every word that acknowledges human dignity challenges systems of oppression."
"I write to create space for the complexity of queer experience beyond stereotypes and simplified narratives."
The false rumors about Andrea Gibson's death appear to stem from several factors:
Andrea continues to create new work and perform, most recently appearing at literary events in 2025.