PrideVMC Press Release
San Francisco, CA
June 30, 2023
PrideVMC Announces 2023 Leadership Award Winner
The PrideVMC Board of Directors is thrilled to present the PrideVMC 2023 Leadership Award to Kate Toyer, BVSc, MANZCVS (Surgery)! This leadership award recognizes individuals who actively support PrideVMC’s mission to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community and vision of an empowered LGBTQ+ veterinary community that is embraced by society as their authentic selves.
PrideVMC President Dr. Abby McElroy states, “Dr. Kate Toyer is the co-founder of the Australian Rainbow Vets & Allies and founder of the Veterinary Kaleidoscope podcast. Kate was nominated for the Leadership Award by Dr. Ewan Wolff, PrideVMC Industry Liaison, who praised her strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in Australia, particularly the trans community. Kate is a proud trans woman, a wife, a father of 3, and has achieved her MANZCVS in surgery. PrideVMC looks forward to continuing to work with Dr. Toyer and support our friends at the Australian Rainbow Vets & Allies!”
Dr. Wolff describes why Kate was an obvious and important nominee for the 2023 award, “Dr. Kate Toyer consistently puts efforts into supporting the LGBTQ+ community and lifting up marginalized voices in the field of veterinary medicine. She is selflessly dedicated to trans rights, ever-present and supportive despite time zone differences and work constraints. It is easy to like comments on Facebook and Instagram and not have substance in real life. Kate is eminently real, bringing together advocates for queer people and problem-solving during our significant challenges today in addition to being a supportive coworker, spouse, and parent. Thank you Kate for giving us the gift of your leadership and mentorship.”
After learning she had received the award, Kate said, “I never really set out to be a leader. I’m not particularly exceptional or an expert at anything apart from being able to see who people can truly be. It’s them that do all of the work. I just give them the space and encouragement to explore and grow. So along with thanking PrideVMC, and Ewan in particular, for this honor, I would also like to thank all of the people who I have had the wonderfully good fortune and privilege to connect with and see them grow and shine. Keep on growing, keep on shining, because the world is better because of you.”
Congratulations again to Dr. Kate Toyer! To learn more about this award and the mission, vision, and strategic pillars of PrideVMC please visit PrideVMC.org.
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About PrideVMC
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! For more information please contact info@pridevmc.org or visit PrideVMC.org.
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