Comedian and poet Robin Ince has today announced that he has become the first-ever patron of TransActual, the UK’s largest trans-led advocacy organisation.
Ince, who was for many years co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, stepped down last autumn saying he had been targeted by BBC figures over his support for the trans community.
Ince says, “I have never liked bullies and I have never understood people who form their personalities around what they hate rather than what they love. I was in my late teens during Section 28’s path through parliament and it was a moment of political awakening. We continue living through times where those who really make the lives of people harder still manage to hide behind any scapegoat they can make. Anyone who can be othered can find themselves in the position of pariah.
He concludes: “I have met too many trans people living in fear, spoken to too many families who have seen their trans children crushed. Now is not the time for my silence.”
Ince was offered the role of patron after continuing to speak up for the trans community despite facing consequences to his career.
Helen Belcher, TransActual’s Managing Director, says, “the decision to offer our first patronage to Robin was unanimously decided by the board after he announced his resignation from the BBC.
“We were very impressed by the way he stood by his principles, and saddened that he had to step down from a hugely successful programme to do so. It shows the sad state of our mainstream media, where support for a vulnerable and maligned group of people is considered problematic. We are so pleased that he has chosen to accept.”