With no money in his pocket and a past filled only with haunted memories, Emanual Xavier had two options - to continue his life on the streets as a prostitute or to publish a book of poetry. He chose the later. Now, ten years later, he is one of the most well known poets of modern times.

Xavier, a lover of animals [he once wanted to be a veterinarian], is a young -- but loud voice in the neo-Nuyorican poetry movement that is sweeping through the streets of New York City and is leaving a lasting impression in the American literary culture. Not since the Harlem Renascence has poetry become such a stable part of our current culture. At the heart of the new neo-Neyorican movement is the emerging voice of Emanual Xavier, a supporter of Campus Pride. He has the lyrics of a modern day Langston Hughes and the same type of honest verse that made Gwendolyn Brooks famous. Of course, when we got the opportunity to interview Emanuel for Campus Pride, we jumped on it.

Interview Begins.

(Campus Pride) CP: Thanks for letting us interview you, Emanuel. Campus Pride appreciated OUTmedia (www.outmedia.org) and your support with "gay camp" this summer. All the student leaders commented on the power of your lyrics. Thank you. Well, let's get started...so when did you first realize you were poetic and what was your first poem?

(Emanual Xavier) EX: I didn't even really explore the possibility of poetry until experiencing my first spoken word event at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City.   I was completely blown away by what I heard and knew right there and then that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.   Completely inspired, I must've started writing soon after.   My very first poem was an ode to the neighborhood where I grew up, "Bushwick Bohemia", which opened my debut poetry collection, Pier Queen , self-published in 1997.   

CP: You know many of us are inspired by different people and experiences, who are your greatest inspirations?

EX: When I first started competing in poetry slams, people often compared me to Miguel Piñero.   I hated it because nobody likes to be compared to anyone.   I read some of his work and understood the similarities.   However, the major difference between us was that Miguel was ultimately a victim and I'd like to think I'm a survivor.   Before discovering his work and that of the beatnik generation, I identified mostly with a lot of bitter female poets such as Dorothy Parker and Sylvia Plath.  
 
CP: Many of your poems speak about the harder times in life.   Is it easier to share those pieces? Does it help to relieve some of the emotion, the pain and stress?

EX: I started writing poetry to share my own struggles and express myself creatively as a form of healing.   There is a certain peace that comes from revealing pain.   It was far more difficult at first but somewhere along the way I realized I was giving voice to others who shared the same experiences and inspiring them to share their own stories.   It's easier to explore these themes when you accept the importance of capturing our histories.

CP: Many youth are coming out at earlier stages -- high schools, college...when you were younger did you you come out, and if so was it a difficult time for you?

EX: I was outed by an ex-boyfriend while having an argument with him over the phone which my mother happened to be listening to on the other line.   It was really intense breaking up with someone and having my mother find out I was gay at the same time.   It's never easy to come out to your parent but ideally you want it to be on your own terms.   A revelation of being in love with someone who happens to be of the same sex could sometimes be empowering.   Needless to say, I was extremely fragile and being cornered by my mother at the same time truly felt like the end of the world.   It all came crashing down on me and I ended up foolishly locking myself up in the bathroom and trying to off myself with a bottle of pills.   I suppose we're glad we could look back and laugh about this.   Not to make light of it but it was so cliché and fortunately we've both come such a long way.
 
CP: We all have many different subgroups that we fit into, of the ones you are in - such as Latino, Gay, Male - which do you feel affects your life the most from a standpoint of identity?

EX: The label 'gay' still affects many people.   I can't physically deny that I am Latino or male but I suppose I could hide the fact that I am gay if I truly wanted to.   I've only acted straight or been elusive to portray characters on film but, otherwise, I am open about my sexuality.   Maybe it's the rebel in me but I like to be real about who I am even if it limits my opportunity for greater success.   I could write more universal material about being a Latino male but the fact that I'm openly gay would still keep most straight men from picking up my books and reading them on the subway.  

CP: Okay, so a fun question to give us an idea about you, beyond poetry... other than writing, which obviously you have a passion, what other hobbies do you enjoy?

EX: I love traveling and just recently discovered how much fun camping is.   My friends take me to a private gay campground every summer.   With a pool, electricity and bathroom facilities, it's not really camping per se but it's an outdoor experience nonetheless.  

CP: So this may be a difficult question but of all your poems which one is your favorite and why?

EX: That's hard to say.   I suppose every time I read "A Simple Poem" I'm brought back to what inspired those words.   I usually disguise it as a poem to inspire others to continue writing but it's really about being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way.   The person I wrote it for never did write me that poem and yet he inspired such a great expression of true love.   It's funny because I've had at least one occasion where someone I dated was actually hurt I didn't write a poem like that for them.   I almost prefer not to date guys familiar with my poetry because I can't help wonder if they are secretly hoping I write about them.  

CP: To date how many poems have you written?

EX: Easily over a hundred.   There are two poetry collections, Pier Queen and Americano, out there and an anthology, Bullets & Butterflies: queer spoken word poetry, which I edited and features some of my own work.   I am currently editing a new anthology of modern gay Latino poetry for Floricanto Press featuring new work along with a third poetry collection which is forthcoming.
 
CP: I've always been curious about this, do you find that it is easier to write poems when you are in love, or when you are angry?

EX: I have a more clear perspective when I am expressing anger.   I find it more difficult to write about love because it's hard for me to express vulnerability.  

CP: You know as a poet and national spoken word artist, you are something of a celebrity... how does the attention affect your life?

EX: I have a very normal life.   However, I have to admit that it's weird when I meet someone for the first time and they are familiar with a lot of my work and I know absolutely nothing about them.   I also hate the fact someone can just google me online and get all kinds of information about me.   It's definitely a disadvantage.

CP: I be it is.. never thought of it that way.... Well since your poetry is very personal, what would you say is the most memorable moment in your life, good or bad? How has it moved or changed you?

EX: When my ex-boyfriend came home with two kittens.   I had always wanted a pet and raising them taught me about unconditional love and responsibility.   When we broke up, I kept them and it's like being a single parent.

CP: How cool... Now imagine that you had to choose a new professoin and this may be related to the last question.. but if you did choose another profession, what would it be?

EX: Probably a veterinarian because I love animals.
 
CP: Do you ever get to go back to your roots of where you began and perform again?

EX: I had a notorious falling out with one of the key players at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe over something absurd which should have never happened.   I doubt very much there will ever be an apology issued on their part and therefore I don't see myself going back. It's unfortunate but it's real.    

CP: Well, that is understandable. I just have a couple more questions. This one I am sure you are well aware of.... since most poets might get to perform but some never get their work published at all. Was it difficult to self-publish? What was the process like?

EX: It was a lot of work and, in retrospect, I should have given more attention to the actual poems than fussing over the look and the concept and all that other boring stuff that the publisher usually gets to deal with.   Nonetheless, it was a true learning experience and it seems to have worked out ideally for me.   Self-publishing gets your foot in the door but there's a lot more work required to help keep you in the room.
 
CP: Lastly, I am sure you get this question all the time... and since Campus Pride serves LGBT and ally leaders who are looking for places to publish... what advice do you have for young poets trying to get published?

EX: Be truly passionate about your work because there's very little to profit from poetry.   The greatest gift will be inspiration and the knowledge you've inspired others.   That may not pay the bills and seem idealistic but it's far more rewarding than giving up on your dreams.

Thank you, Emanuel. You are truly an amazing inspiration. Campus Pride appreciates your support and time for this interview. Please know that you make a difference.

Interview Ends.

For more information about Emanuel Xavier go online to www.emanuelxavier.com and for bookings contact OUTmedia online at www.outmedia.org.

Special thanks to Shelly Weiss of OUTmedia.