Emanuel Xavier

Poet, Fiction Writer, Spoken Word Artist

Staten Island, NY
New York US

Author's Bio

Poet and activist, Emanuel Xavier was born in Brooklyn, New York, and became involved in the ball scene as a homeless gay teen. Over a span of twenty-five years, Xavier has received recognition as a spoken word artist from national colleges and universities. He has been named an LGBTQ+ Icon by The Equality Forum and has been presented a New York City Council Citation Award. Xavier has received an  International Latino Book Award, Lambda Literary Award nominations and American Library Association Over the Rainbow Books selections for his collections which include: Love(ly) Child, Selected Poems of Emanuel Xavier, Radiance, Nefarious, If Jesus Were Gay, Americano, and Pier Queen. He is also author of the novel Christ Like and editor of Me No Habla With Acento: Contemporary Latino Poetry, Bullets & Butterflies: queer spoken word poetry and Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry. He is the recipient of a Gay City Impact Award and The Marsha A. Gomez Cultural Heritage Award. 

Publications & Prizes

Fiction

Anthologies:
Studs: Gay Erotic Fiction (Cleis Press, 2014)
,
For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough (Magnus Books, 2013)
,
Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay (Quirk Books, 2012)
,
Ambientes: New Queer Latino Writing (University of Wisconsin Press, 2011)
,
Queer & Catholic (Routledge, 2008)
,
The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name (Boheme Press, 2003)
,
Men on Men 7 (Plume, 1999)
,
Virgins, Guerrillas & Locas (Cleis Press, 1999)
,
Best Gay Erotica 1997 (Cleis Press, 1997)
Book:
Christ Like (Rebel Satori Press, 2009)
Journal:
Long Shot

Poetry

Anthologies:
Me No Habla With Acento: Contemporary Latino Poetry (Rebel Satori Press, 2011)
,
Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry (Floricanto Press, 2008)
,
Bullets & Butterflies: queer spoken word poetry (Suspect Thoughts Press, 2005)
Books:
Selected Poems of Emanuel Xavier (Rebel Satori Press, 2021)
,
Radiance (Rebel Satori Press, 2016)
,
Nefarious (Rebel Satori Press, 2013)
,
Americano: Growing Up Gay and Latino in the U.S. (Rebel Satori Press, 2012)
,
Pier Queen (Rebel Satori Press, 2012)
,
If Jesus Were Gay (Rebel Satori Press, 2010)
Journals:
Drumvoices Revue
, ,
Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review
,
Hostos Review

Spoken Word

Performances:
Brooklyn College Lavender Graduation (2020)
,
Miguel Algarin Tribute (2020)
,
The United Nations (2018)
,
Faison Firehouse Theater (2013)
,
Museum of Modern Art (2013)
,
Broward College (2012)
,
College of William & Mary (2012)
,
Lesley University (2012)
,
Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay & Lesbian Art (2012)
,
The Front Porch (2012)
,
El Museo del Barrio (2011)
,
El Museo del Barrio (2010)
,
Princeton University (2010)
,
Bates College (2009)
,
El Museo Del Barrio (2009)
,
Ghent University (2009)
,
Giovanni's Room (2009)
,
El Museo Del Barrio (2008)
,
Housing Works Bookstore (2008)
,
San Francisco Public Library (2008)
,
School of Visual Arts (2008)
,
University of Florida (2008)
,
El Museo Del Barrio (2007)
,
Miami Dade College (2007)
,
Naranja Library (2007)
,
Princeton University (2007)
,
Towson University (2007)
,
University of Louisville (2007)
,
Amherst College (2006)
,
Queens Museum of Art (2006)
,
Resistencia Bookstore (2006)
,
Wellesley College (2006)
,
Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry on HBO (2005)
,
Bar 13 Lounge (2005)
,
Bowery Poetry Club (2005)
,
LGBT Community Services Center (2005)
,
Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry on HBO- 2005 (2005)
,
University of Chicago (2005)
,
Aaron Davis Hall (2004)
,
Central Park Summerstage (2004)
,
Hartford Public Library (2004)
,
Joe's Pub (2004)
,
New York University (2004)
,
Resistencia Bookstore in Austin (2004)
,
Tillery Street Theatre in Austin (2004)
,
Columbia University (2003)
,
Lincoln Center (2003)
,
Nuyorican Poets Cafe (2003)
,
Rikers Island Prison (2003)
,
Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry on HBO- 2003 (2003)
,
University of Massachusetts (2003)
,
Brown University (2002)
,
Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans (2002)
,
The New School (2002)
,
Washington Square Park (2002)
,
Centro Cultural de la Raza ()
,
Quinnipiac University ()
Prizes won: 

New York City Council Citation, Marsha A. Gomez Cultural Heritage Award, 2008 World Pride Award recipient, Equality Forum 2010 GLBT History Month Icon, American Library Association's Over The Rainbow selection for "If Jesus Were Gay & other poems"

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, At Risk Youth, Immigration, LGBTQ, Men, Seniors, Teachers, Teenagers, Women
Fluent in: 
English, Spanish
Born in: 
Brooklyn
Raised in: 
Brooklyn, NY
New York
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Jul 27, 2023