For the first time ever, a majority-LGBTQ samba outfit will take part in Rio carnival's famous street parades, flaunting rather than hiding their sexual identity
A member of the Bangay samba school dances during the final rehearsal for the upcoming Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A member of the Bangay samba school dances during the final rehearsal for the upcoming Rio de Janeiro Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Image: ANDREndre Borges / AFP
For the first time ever, a majority-LGBTQ samba outfit will take part in Rio carnival's famous street parades, flaunting rather than hiding their sexual identity.
In the lead-up to their big debut, members of the group Bangay rehearse at a community center in Rio's Bangu neighborhood.
The glitzy costumes, makeup, samba rhythms and sensual hip movements are just like those associated with the traditional samba schools that have drawn flocks of tourists to Rio for decades.
But there is one big difference, Bangay founder Sandra Andrea dos Santos told AFP. The group's members are "90 percent LGBTQIA+"—a first for Rio and its annual carnival.
The acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual. The plus sign is there for any other minority sexual or gender identities not covered by those seven letters.