On Friday, trans rights activists disrupted the annual LGB Alliance conference—a gathering known for its exclusionary stance toward transgender individuals—by releasing thousands of live crickets into the auditorium. As notable speakers like J.K. Rowling and Posie Parker prepared to address the crowd at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Centre, activists reportedly unleashed the insects, setting off chaos and prompting attendees to evacuate the hall while the chirping continued as an audible, unignorable protest1.
Tiny Voices, Big Message: A Symbolic Protest
For supporters of trans rights, the crickets represented defiance in the face of policies that marginalize and exclude transgender people from broader LGBTQ+ spaces. The Independent describes the scene as packed attendees scrambled out of their seats amid the swarm, while police were called, and four activists were briefly detained. Although some sessions were interrupted, organizers continued the event once security had cleared the venue2.
While some criticized the release as disruptive and disrespectful, others saw it as a necessary tactic to confront the LGB Alliance’s divisive and exclusionary message. According to local sources, this creative protest mirrors the persistent resistance to policies and rhetoric that seek to exclude trans voices from the LGBTQ+ movement3. In the context of trans activism, such a protest is a pointed commentary on how exclusionary spaces drown out trans voices, rendering such loud, symbolic acts almost inevitable.
Rowling and Parker in Focus: Spotlight on a Very TERF-y Gathering
The appearance of Rowling and Parker at the conference highlights the LGB Alliance’s alignment with public figures who have made headlines for their opposition to gender-inclusive policies. Since its founding in 2019, the Alliance has aimed to advocate for lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights, yet often undercutting trans inclusion, positioning itself in direct contrast to groups like Stonewall that champion gender inclusivity. The cricket protest—a literal “chirp back” at a trans-exclusionary narrative—has added fuel to the already tense divisions within LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Final Takeaway: A Persistent Chorus for Inclusivity
Ultimately, the cricket protest at the LGB Alliance conference captured the attention of both supporters and critics. The message was clear: even small, marginalized voices, much like the persistent hum of crickets, won’t easily be silenced. The incident underscores ongoing debates over unity, representation, and exclusion within LGBTQ+ advocacy and serves as a reminder that protests, though unconventional, often give voice to the silenced.
- https://metro.co.uk/2024/10/11/thousands-crickets-unleashed-anti-trans-event-addressed-jk-rowling-21782166/ ↩︎
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/lgba-conference-westminster-crickets-trans-b2628244.html ↩︎
- https://countylocalnews.com/2024/10/11/trans-activists-disrupt-lgb-alliance-conference-with-insect-release/ ↩︎