Much to Celebrate
Challenges continue for all historically excluded communities. We encourage our constituents to stay informed, take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones, and be an active part of the solution. In addition to working on contingency plans to protect our community and organization, we also continue to celebrate the good!
PrideVMC 2024 Leadership Award Winner – Dr. Jesse Navatta (they, them)
At the recent AVMA Convention in Austin, Dr. Jesse Navatta was recognized as the PrideVMC 2024 Leadership Award winner! Dr. Navatta has been an engaged PrideVMC working group (WG) member since April 2020 when they were part of the original Mentoring WG that analyzed several mentoring platforms and recommended Pawsibilities Vet Med as the mentoring program of choice for PrideVMC members. Jesse is a newly elected PrideVMC board member, serves on the Advocacy WG, Education WG, and Member Engagement WG, and is part of the founding ‘booth champion’ team representing PrideVMC at a variety of veterinary conferences.
They were the lead on organizing the highly successful “Purrfectly Proud: A Dragtastic PrideVMC Anniversary Party” at AVMA Convention 2023 in Denver that raised over $600 for The Trevor Project and the ACLU Drag Defense Fund and was enjoyed by all that attended. Jesse also organized the recent drag event fundraiser at the AVMA Convention 2024 in Austin! Jesse is a passionate 
and driven PrideVMC member who walks the talk every day in every way to ensure everyone they come in contact with feels welcome and included. They are highly deserving of the PrideVMC Leadership Award – Congratulations Jesse!
$2500 Raised for Equality Texas
On June 23, 2024 over $2500 was raised for Equality Texas at the PrideVMC Giddy Up Hoedown fundraiser at Oilcan Harry’s. According to the event organizer Dr. Jesse Navatta, “The PrideVMC Drag Event at the AVMA Convention is a space where all members of our community are welcome to celebrate and uplift the local LGBTQ+ art and historic queer bars. This event is intended to be a safe space where anyone can come as their authentic self regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression. Noting that we are not a monolithic community which means that this event might not be everyone’s ideal evening, we have had many individuals exploring this scene for the first time with us! We know that we are most empowered when we feel represented and heard, and no one speaks louder than a Drag Queen!”
“The most inspiring part of it all”, Dr. Navatta continues, “is knowing that, not only are we financially supporting queer spaces and local artists, but that we are also generating donations to support local communities that are most hard hit in this tumultuous time. Equality Texas has been fighting for local LGBTQ+ right across the state since 1989. To know that I can be part of a story that supports this work by pairing Drag with PrideVMC feels like a dream. With major plans already underway, I cannot wait for next year’s celebration at AVMA 2025 in Washington DC!”
Special thanks to those that donated to this important organization, attended the fundraiser event, and of course to the fabulous artists that made the night unforgettable:
Host Diamond Dior Davenport: @diamonddioratx
Male performer Nicholai King Dior: @nicholaidior_
Queen Amber Nicole Davenport: @amberndavenport
DJ Eman: @emandomimusic
Expanded Board of Directors
We also celebrate our expanded PrideVMC board of directors who started their 2024-2025 term at the June 22 PrideVMC Annual Meeting as well as the incoming PrideSVMC leadership team.
PrideVMC 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Omar Farías (he, him), President
Abby McElroy (she, her), Immediate Past President
Erin Spencer (she, her), President-Elect
Rachel Dufour (she, her), Treasurer
Ashlea Tenorio (she, they), Information Officer
Mo Miller (they, them), PrideSVMC Student Advisor
Lauren Salsburg (she, hers), Student Liaison
Ewan Wolff (they them), Industry Liaison
Bonnie Price (she, they), Director-at-large
Deborah Kochevar (she, her), Director-at-Large
Emmett Brizendine (he, him), Director-at-Large
Jesse Navatta (they, them), Director-at-Large
Paige Carmichael (she, her), Director-at-Large
Mia Cary (she, her), CEO
PrideSVMC 2024-2025 National Board
Sergio Acuna (he, him), Cornell – President
Javier Funes (he, him), KSU – Past President
Javelis Marin Castro (she, hers), U of IL – Co-President-Elect/VP
Hailey Jennings (she, her), Mich State – Co-President-Elect/VP
Sydney Paris (she, her), Cornell – Treasurer
Finn Ware (he, him), Penn Vet – Info Officer/PR
Lauren Salsburg (she, her), Cornell – PrideVMC Student Liaison
Chelsea Berkowitz (she, her), Tufts – Events Coordinator
Ally Eaton (they, them), Purdue – Co-Chapter Coordinator
Logan DeSchepper (he, him), Purdue – Co-Chapter Coordinator
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About PrideVMC
The mission of the Pride Veterinary Medical Community (PrideVMC), formed in 1993 as the LGVMA, is to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community. We do so by striving to foster acceptance, inclusivity, and belonging 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 and visit PrideVMC.org.
