PrideVMC Press Release
San Francisco, CA
October 11, 2021
PrideVMC Invites Gender Identity Bill of Rights Signatories
On June 9 of this year 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. The gender diverse community, specifically transgender women of color, have been leaders of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. The gender diverse community has continued to be in the national spotlight for the last decade, targeted with restroom bills, medical access bills and identity legislation highlighting the need for continued activism and allyship.
We are living through a major civil rights era; a watershed moment for the trans-equality movement as important as Stonewall for the survival of the community. The weeks are marked by a staccato rhythm of developments affecting LGBTQ+ people. Although the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling in the Supreme Court was passed to protect civil rights in employment, there have also been over 100 anti-trans bills, including medical conscience bills, which threaten access to gender affirming care and continue to perpetuate discrimination and bigotry. 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.
Beginning today and in honor of National Coming Out Day, 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. 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.
This bill of rights is composed of the most basic rights of humanity; to be seen and live as oneself. If we cannot support transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people as themselves, then how can we ask them to grow and thrive in the profession? This is a big moment for organizational, professional, and individual allies to roll up their sleeves and start a more engaged level of support. Beginning on October 8, 2021 and thereafter, the names of individual and organizational signatories will be recognized in alphabetical order on PrideVMC.org.
A follow up implementation guide, the Gender Diversity Guide, will be published in 2022. All individuals and organizations that sign and commit to the bill of rights will be provided access to the manual. In this way we acknowledge that the safe and productive existence of gender diverse individuals is a paramount priority rather than a subject of interest to be defined.
To contribute feedback please contact GenderIdentity@pridevmc.org.
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The mission of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC) is to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. We do so by striving to foster acceptance and inclusivity for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender presentations within the veterinary medical profession and community. We fight discrimination, build collaborative networks, and support LGBTQ+ veterinary students through mentorship and scholarship programs. PrideVMC membership is open to the entire animal health and veterinary community regardless of role, race, color, religion, national origin or citizenship status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or military status. Allies are welcome!
