ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how HONK!’s celebration of subverting normative gendered instruments constitutes one of the varied meanings of HONK! activism. The rise of more all-women, trans, gender non-binary bands within HONK! has further grown the numbers of women low brass musicians. HONK! creates an invitation for women and/or gender non-binary musicians through providing an environment where both heterosexual and LGBTQ musicians feel welcome with accessible music in the streets and a low barrier of access, inspiring others to try new things. This invitation is amplified by the rise of all-women and gender non-binary bands. The bands are largely LGBTQ welcoming, promote feminism, and are intent upon contesting power, thereby creating a logical opening for the “interruption of femininity.” The rise of women’s bands in the United States during World War II coincided with the unprecedented numbers of women in the workforce, many performing the gritty work of manufacturing.
