Emanuel Xavier is an openly gay American poet, spoken word artist, author, editor, events producer and actor born and raised in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn.  He transitioned himself from a street hustler and drug dealer to become one of the most significant voices to emerge from the neo-Nuyorican spoken word poetry movement using political, sexual and religious themes throughout his work. His background heritage is Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian and he is considered a role model for queer youth, particularly queer youth of color.  Even so, his audiences include a great diversity of people of all backgrounds.

His work has appeared in many publications including The James White Review, Genre, Long Shot, Virgins, Guerrillas & Locas, and Queer & Catholic.  He is the recipient of the Marsha A. Gomez Cultural Heritage Award and a New York City Council citation for his many contributions to gay and Latino culture.

Emanuel Xavier has published two collections of poetry, Pier Queen and Americano.  A fiction novel, Christ Like, was published by a small press in the fall of 1999.  He also edited two anthologies: Bullets & Butterflies: queer spoken word poetry and Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry.  He also selected finalists for Best Gay Erotica 2008.  His next poetry collection is tentatively titled, Just Like Jesus, and is forthcoming from suspect thoughts press.

He has also been featured as a spoken word artist on Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry and appeared as an actor in the independent feature films, The Ski Trip and The Cult of Sincerity.

He has performed at many colleges and universities such as Princeton University, Brown University, Amherst College, Columbia University, University of Chicago and many others — all as a spoken word artist.  In 2008, Xavier was awarded a World Pride & Power Award for his work as an artist and political activist.

Emanuel Xavier is currently residing back in his barrio of Bushwick in Brooklyn, NY.  You can visit his website at www.emanuelxavier.com for more information.