PrideVMC celebrates Pride 2022 and recognizes Gender Identity Bill of Rights signatories

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In June of 2021, the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) working group published a Gender Identity Bill of Rights(GIBOR) as part of a focused effort to address inequality and inequity throughout the entire veterinary profession. To date, PrideVMC claims 556 individuals and 96 organizations have signed on to support for the Gender Identity Bill of Rights.¹

In a press release, PrideVMC stated, “The gender diverse community, specifically transgender women of color, have been leaders of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The gender diverse community has been in the national spotlight for the last decade, targeted with restroom bills, medical access bills and the increasing number of current identity legislation highlighting the need for continued activism and allyship.”

The statement continues, “PrideVMC acknowledges the importance of clear and unequivocal commitment to equality, equity, and the human rights of the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals of our diverse LGBTQ+ family in a time where the acceptance of our brethren by the general public is uncommon.”

PrideVMC shared the following list of organizations that have signed in support of the GIBOR¹:

• Groups within the community of affinity organizations: ARVA (Australian Rainbow Veterinary Association), Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals (AAVMP), BlackDVM Network, British Veterinary Ethnicity & Diversity Society (BVEDS), British Veterinary LGBT+, Latinx VMA (LVMA), Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA), National Association for Black Veterinarians (NABV), Native American Veterinary Association (NAVA), Pride Student Veterinary Medical Community (PrideSVMC), and Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative,
• The PrideVMC partners that have signed on as of today: Boehringer Ingelheim USA Inc., Ethos Veterinary Health, Relief Rover, Simply Done Tech Solutions, The Social DVM, and Veterinary Emergency Group,
• The veterinary schools and related entities that have signed their support as of today: Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota; Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences; The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, Diversity and Inclusion; Tufts Veterinary Council on Diversity; University of California Davis Veterinary Medical Center; and University of Minnesota CVM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine,
• American Association of Industry Veterinarians (AAIV),
• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), and
• All that have signed their support and listed at the end of the GIBOR

Later this year, PrideVMC says it will publish a follow-up implementation guide, the Gender Diversity Guide. All individuals and organizations that sign and commit to the bill of rights will be provided access to the manual. More recently, the organization has released the GIBOR overview video and article “Next steps for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming belonging in veterinary medicine” to support individuals’ education and awareness journey.

“We are calling on all members of the veterinary profession to recognize the existence, humanity and worth of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in our profession,” the press release stated. “We ask that you continue this journey with us by signing on to support PrideVMC’s Gender Identity Bill of Rights by completing the signatory form.”

PrideVMC is also extending an invitation to all members of the veterinary and animal health community to its Pride 2022 events. In addition, the organization is holding its the PrideVMC Q2 Virtual Town Hall on May 23 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm CT. This event will discuss Pride month, the GIBOR, and PrideVMC priorities.

Reference

PrideVMC Celebrates Pride 2022 and GIBOR Signatories. News release. Pride Veterinary Medical Community. May 10, 2022. [email].