The world of entertainment and the global LGBTQ+ community are mourning today as we process the loss of James Van Der Beek. The actor, who became an era-defining face as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 11, 2026, following a brave two-and-a-half-year journey with colorectal cancer. He was only 48 years old.
While many remember him for his introspective gaze and the “crying Dawson” meme, for us at gay-chat.org, Van Der Beek was more than a heartthrob—he was a genuine, vocal, and early müttefik (ally) who used his platform when it wasn’t always “trendy” to do so.
“Am I Doing It Wrong?” – The Power of Simple Logic
Long before marriage equality was the law of the land in the US, Van Der Beek was dismantling homophobic arguments with a sharp wit that resonated deeply with the community. In 2013, he famously took to Facebook to ask a question that remains one of the most brilliant summaries of the movement:
“I’m confused… how is two gay people getting married a threat to my marriage? Am I doing it wrong?”
This wasn’t just a PR statement; it was a challenge to the status quo. He didn’t just support us from the sidelines; he used comedy to mock discriminatory laws, such as his 2015 Funny or Die sketch where he parodied Indiana’s “Religious Freedom” act, exposing the absurdity of refusing service to queer people.
From the “Creek” to the “Ballroom”
James Van Der Beek’s career was a testament to his evolution as an artist and an ally. In 2018, he joined the cast of the history-making series Pose. Playing a character in the gritty world of 1980s New York, he helped ground a show that celebrated trans women of color—the most marginalized segment of our community.
His respect for the creators, especially Ryan Murphy, was profound. When Murphy won his Emmy for The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Van Der Beek celebrated him not just as a producer, but as a man who turned his experiences of being called “too gay” or “too weird” into an empire that hires women, minorities, and people of color. James understood that true allyship is about opening doors and stepping aside.
A Fight Fought with Grace
Diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023, James kept his battle private until late 2024. Even in his final months, his focus remained on his family—his wife Kimberly and their six children—and on raising awareness for early cancer screening. His vulnerability in discussing his own mortality on his 48th birthday earlier this year showed a man who had found peace with himself, famously stating: “I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist.”
Join the Conversation
As tributes pour in from co-stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Busy Philipps, the queer community is sharing their own memories of what Dawson—and James—meant to them.
What was your favorite James Van Der Beek moment? Whether it was his early support for our rights or his performance in Pose, his impact on our culture is undeniable.