Images by Xavier Mascarenas (Lightstalkers)

Branchal, left, and Gutierrez relax shortly after Branchal sang a love song in English to help raise money duing a fundraiser. Before performing, Branchal said "I'm shaking. I get more nervous before shows like this than I do before performing for a whole

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:06:16 +0000

Branchal, left, and Gutierrez relax shortly after Branchal sang a love song in English to help raise money duing a fundraiser. Before performing, Branchal said "I'm shaking. I get more nervous before shows like this than I do before performing for a whole
Branchal, left, and Gutierrez relax shortly after Branchal sang a love song in English to help raise money duing a fundraiser. Before performing, Branchal said "I'm shaking. I get more nervous before shows like this than I do before performing for a whole

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:06:06 +0000

Sonny Martinez, the grandfather of the little girl who was baptized, listens to Mariachi Orgullo perform a classic Mexican song familiar to him. Martinez said the group was very good, and was happy to have a mariachi band play at his grandchild's celebrat
Sonny Martinez, the grandfather of the little girl who was baptized, listens to Mariachi Orgullo perform a classic Mexican song familiar to him. Martinez said the group was very good, and was happy to have a mariachi band play at his grandchild's celebrat

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:05:55 +0000

The Martinez family listens to Mariachi Orgullo perform in their home for the baptismal celebration.
The Martinez family listens to Mariachi Orgullo perform in their home for the baptismal celebration.

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:05:46 +0000

Trumpet player Timoteo Serna, left, and violinist Charles Garcia, right, warm up their instruments on either side of Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico founder Adan Branchal in a child's room at the Martinez home, where they are performing for a baptismal c
Trumpet player Timoteo Serna, left, and violinist Charles Garcia, right, warm up their instruments on either side of Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico founder Adan Branchal in a child's room at the Martinez home, where they are performing for a baptismal c

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:05:39 +0000

Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico, which formed in August 2006 and claims to be the first all gay and lesbian mariachi in the world, receives a standing ovation after performing in the Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are: Paris is Burning Life is a Masque
Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico, which formed in August 2006 and claims to be the first all gay and lesbian mariachi in the world, receives a standing ovation after performing in the Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are: Paris is Burning Life is a Masque

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:05:31 +0000

Anthony Ortiz, a violinist with the group, gets ready to practice at Adan Branchal's house in Albuquerque's Westgate neighborhood. Branchal's partner, Joseph Gutierrez, prepares his makeup for his on-stage personality, "Anastasia," before performing at a
Anthony Ortiz, a violinist with the group, gets ready to practice at Adan Branchal's house in Albuquerque's Westgate neighborhood. Branchal's partner, Joseph Gutierrez, prepares his makeup for his on-stage personality, "Anastasia," before performing at a

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:05:25 +0000

Timoteo Serna plays a trumpet solo against a backlit front door Jan. 21, 2007. Mariachi Orgullo performed for about 20 people gathered in a small living-room. The group plays for a wide range of audiences, from AIDS benefits and drag shows to religious ev
Timoteo Serna plays a trumpet solo against a backlit front door Jan. 21, 2007. Mariachi Orgullo performed for about 20 people gathered in a small living-room. The group plays for a wide range of audiences, from AIDS benefits and drag shows to religious ev

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:09:23 +0000

Children surround Maribel as family and friends gathered several weeks after the funeral to put Sinaí’s headstone in place. Maribel said people ask her when she plans to have another baby, and she tells them she is not yet ready. However, she said that when she does, that child will grow up knowing he or she has an older sister.
Children surround Maribel as family and friends gathered several weeks after the funeral to put Sinaí’s headstone in place. Maribel said people ask her when she plans to have another baby, and she tells them she is not yet ready. However, she said that when she does, that child will grow up knowing he or she has an older sister.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:09:11 +0000

Sinaí’s funeral service ended with a release of pink and white balloons, colors that Maribel said were her daughter’s favorite, and that matched the “Dora the Explorer” theme that Maribel had decorated Sinaí’s hospital room in.
Sinaí’s funeral service ended with a release of pink and white balloons, colors that Maribel said were her daughter’s favorite, and that matched the “Dora the Explorer” theme that Maribel had decorated Sinaí’s hospital room in.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:09:03 +0000

Maribel and Jesús grieve while family members comfort them. Throughout their daughter’s turbulent year of life, their own parents played an important role in helping them through the ordeal—nurturing their hope for Sinaí’s improvement, while stressing the importance of their faith.
Maribel and Jesús grieve while family members comfort them. Throughout their daughter’s turbulent year of life, their own parents played an important role in helping them through the ordeal—nurturing their hope for Sinaí’s improvement, while stressing the importance of their faith.