staying true to the liberal principles it was based upon, the banda de ipanema famously welcomes all age demographics, sexualities, genders, and encourages the use of extravagant attire and wild behavior.

as time has passed the band has shifted towards a more lgbt-friendly following, and the presence of drag queens are now a permanent fixture - in 2012, the banda the ipanema was voted as the most inviting and best carnival bloco to meet new people.