Mariachi Orgullo de Nuevo Mexico, the self-proclaimed first gay and lesbian mariachi group, is based out of Albuquerque, N.M. They are led by Adan Branchal, a former Mr. Pride for the Albuquerque Gay Pride Pageant, who also played with the New Mexico Highlands University Mariachi band in Las Vegas, N.M. His father, Nick Branchal, started New Mexico's first high school mariachi group in 1981 at Taos High School, continuing the family's long tradition of performing.
Anthony Ortiz, a violinist with Mariachi Orgullo, gets ready to practice at Adan Branchal's house in Albuquerque on Jan. 21, 2007. Branchal's partner, Joseph Gutierrez, is in the background applying makeup for his on-stage personality, "Anastasia," before performing at a local bar for the Kamikaze Drag Queen competition. (Xavier Mascareñas)