Michael W. Hudson
University of Kentucky

John Okley Egger
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne 

Ann M. Harrington
University of Kentucky

Title:
Instrument Gender Stratification in the Lesbian and Gay Band Association

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the genders and instrumentation stratification of members in the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. The aim of this study was to determine if gender stratification of instruments is different from previous research when applied to the LGBTQ population, as such this study investigates how instrument-gender stereotyping manifests in Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning (LGBTQ) community based ensembles. Participants (N = 458) were instrumentalist from 39 community ensembles of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association (LGBA). Data were collected via an online survey and an 84% response rate was achieved. 62 % of the participants identified themselves as male, 31% as female, 4% as transgender, and 3% as genderqueer. Participants also indicated their sexual orientation as homosexual (79%), heterosexual (9%), bisexual (5%), pansexual (4%), questioning (2%), or Other (<1%).

Participants’ genders and primary instruments were examined. Results of descriptive analysis revealed four instances that deviate from traditional gender instrument stratification documented in previous investigations. Previous research has indicated that flute and clarinet are considered to be feminine and are more frequently played by women. However, results of this study demonstrate a departure from this instrument- gender stereotype. 63% of flute players were male, 35% were female and 2% were genderqueer. 71% of clarinet players were male, 29% were female and 2% were transgender. Instruments more traditionally played by males were found to be somewhat gender neutral. 51% of trumpet players were male, 44% were female, and 2% were transgender. 44% of percussionists were male, 55% were female, and 1% was transgender.

The results of the survey indicated that instrument gender stratification in LGBTQ ensembles might deviate from stratifications reported in previous research. This calls into question the role of gender instrument association in primary instrumentation in this specific context. The results of this study could possibly be generalizable to other LGBTQ ensembles. However, when comparing gender to other instrumentation the results did not deviate from previous studies. The findings of this study suggest that instrument gender association may not reflect instrument gender stratification in LGBTQ ensembles. Implications for future investigations are also discussed.