AVMA and VMAE sign PrideVMC’s Gender Identity Bill of Rights

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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Veterinary Medical Association Executives announced both organizations have signed the Pride Veterinary Medical Community’s (Pride VMC’s) “Gender Identity Bill of Rights” (GIBOR).

"Supporting the Gender Identity Bill of Rights is consistent with our belief in inclusion and will help to advance the AVMA's diversity initiatives," said Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline), CVJ, president of the AVMA, in an organizational release.¹ "The GIBOR will help some people who may not have felt welcomed in the past to feel more comfortable and supported in our great profession in the future. We thank PrideVMC for its advocacy that will help all members of the veterinary community feel included and respected."

According to the release,¹ this bill identifies and eliminates discriminatory practices against transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming members of the veterinary community.

GIBOR was written by Erika Lin-Hendel, VMD, PhD; Ewan Wolff, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; and Jenna Ward, DVM, all members of PrideVMC DEI WG, reviewed by multiple reviewers and contributors, including legally reviewed by Anthony Michael Kreis, JD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Law and Emily Torstveit-Ngara, JD, LL. M., Assistant Clinical Professor of Law.²

"VMAE serves executives who manage state, regional, and specialty veterinary medical associations," said Tim Atkinson, VMAE president, in the release. "We actively promote diversity within our community through our programs and we are proud to sign on to the GIBOR. It provides us with a set of guiding principles to follow so that we can ensure that our association is welcoming to all, regardless of their gender identification."

As of November 2022, 856 individuals and 177 organizations, including national and international associations, colleges and schools of veterinary medicine, animal health companies across the industry, and veterinary practices, have signed GIBOR.

References

1. AVMA, VMAE become signatories of Pride VMC's 'Gender Identity Bill of Rights'. News release. American Veterinary Medical Associations. November 14, 2022. Accessed November 15, 2022. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/avma-vmae-become-signatories-pride-vmcs-gender-identity-bill-rights
2. GENDER IDENTITY BILL OF RIGHTS. Pridevmc.org. Accessed November 15, 2022. https://pridevmc.org/gibor/