PrideVMC releases the “Make Time for IX” resource packet

On June 17, 2021, in observance of the 2020 Bostock v Clayton County Supreme Court ruling protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from workplace discrimination, the Department of Education extended Title IX to safeguard the LGBTQ+ community.

Title IX states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Following this triumphant ruling, the PrideVMC Gender Identity subgroup has developed a “Make Time for IX” resource packet to raise awareness and provide tools for enactment. The information in this resource will extend support to administrators, educators, interns, residents, and graduate students who impact veterinary students’ educational experience regarding Title IX and the LGBTQ+ community.

"Veterinary professional, technology, and graduate school is a hard-won, hard-working, and challenging experience for all students. Title IX’s extension to the LGBTQ+ community will combat discrimination and support the thousands of up-and-coming professionals to feel safer during their education," shared The Gender Identity subgroup members Erika Lin-Hendel, VMD, PhD; Ewan Wolff, PhD, DVM, DACVIM; and Jenna Ward, DVM, in a prepared statement.

“We designed this packet to help raise awareness and guide implementation of our community's human rights in federally funded institutions. This is a time to celebrate an important advance in equity including actions that move us toward the goal of establishing safe, supportive, and compassionate learning environments," they added.

Dane Whitaker, DVM, MPVM, PrideVMC president, offers his appreciation and gratitude to those who participated in establishing this impactful resource.

“We invite our colleagues in academia to review and incorporate these valuable resources and to join us in the commitment to ensure these extended protections are implemented for your students, residents, interns, and graduate students,” said Whitaker.

Interested in learning more about this packet, plus more related resources? Whitaker and the "Make Time for IX" coauthors will discuss Gender Identity in Veterinary Medicine on September 14, 2021, at 7 pm CT.

Reference

PrideVMC announces the “Make Time for IX” resource packet. News release. August 24, 2021; PrideVMC. Accessed August 24, 2021. [email]