Comedian, writer and broadcaster Robin Ince has been announced as the first-ever patron of trans-led advocacy organisation, TransActual.
The former Infinite Monkey Cage co-presenter said he was accepting the role after continuing to speak out in support of trans people despite facing professional consequences, including his departure from the long-running BBC Radio 4 programme last year.
Ince, who co-hosted The Infinite Monkey Cage alongside physicist Brian Cox since 2009, stepped down from the BBC in 2025. At the time, he said his public support for the trans community had been deemed incompatible with the broadcaster's expectations of him.
Announcing his new role with TransActual, Ince said he felt compelled to continue speaking out against discrimination.
“I have never liked bullies and I have never understood people who form their personalities around what they hate rather than what they love,” he said.
Reflecting on the impact of Section 28 during his youth, Ince added: “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 continued: “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.”
TransActual said Ince was offered the patronage after he continued to publicly support trans people despite criticism and career repercussions.
Helen Belcher, the organisation's managing director and co-founder, said the decision to appoint Ince as its first patron had been unanimous. “The decision to offer our first patronage to Robin was unanimously decided by the board after he announced his resignation from the BBC,” she said.
“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.”
Founded in 2020, TransActual is a not-for-profit community interest company and has grown to become the UK's largest trans-led advocacy organisation. The group provides information, support and advocacy for trans and non-binary people, while also working with organisations to improve understanding of issues affecting the community.
The appointment marks the first time TransActual has named a patron, with the organisation describing the move as recognition of Ince's commitment to standing alongside the trans community during an increasingly challenging period for trans people in the UK.
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