Charge to the Reader

Charge to the Reader

If you are a member of the gender diverse community, then you have a voice in the future of this document should you choose to. If you are an ally, then one of the singular practices of allyship is listening, creating space, accepting change, and working together on a better future. Please take the statements here at face value and if you find yourself questioning or reducing the concerns here, then we ask you to take the time to consider, “Why?” reflecting on your own internal conscious and unconscious bias.

Foreword

This manual started as a gender transition guide discussion in the spring of 2021. In its initial planning stages two decisions were made;

1) That the nature of the document had to change because outwardly perceived gender transition does not define and is not a part of all gender diverse people’s existence. Transition is a gradual process of continual inhabiting of self, and while it can include medical aspects, not everyone needs or can access medical care. Some people are content with their bodies without any intervention, some people only need to change some things to feel comfortable, and for some of us the procedures that we would need to be comfortable and whole do not yet exist. All trans people, no matter where they are on their journey, are valid and add to our wonderfully diverse trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming;

2) That a bill of rights was needed first as a baseline for further developments. The Gender Identity Bill of Rights (GIBOR) was published online on the PrideVMC website on June 9, 2021. On the timeline of trans rights it was 51 years after Stonewall, 6 years after gay marriage rights, and less than a year since the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling made discrimination against gender diverse people in the workplace illegal. In the month following the publication an executive order from President Biden extended Title IX and Title VII rights to the LGBTQ+ community, propelling the rights in the GIBOR into a legal space for educational institutions. The GIBOR is held as a universal declaration of the rights of transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming people in the veterinary workplace regardless of jurisdiction or legislative obligations.

Efforts for the manual began as soon as the GIBOR was published with recruitment of gender diverse individuals from across the profession, and beyond, into writing pods to expand upon each of the GIBOR rights in depth, provide implementation resources, and to discuss additional material not covered by this document.  Each section was planned to be discussed with a team of reviewers and an outside specialist in that field.  Legal background was planned to be developed by a team from the Georgia State University Law School. Legal review was performed by part of the legal team from the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling.  The total effort might have taken months, and we have made a commitment to continue revisions into the future. In reality the pandemic and ongoing tide of anti-LGBTQ sentiment slowed work on this important document.

This manual isn’t about parts and treatments, this guide is about the humanity and dignity of transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals.  As each life is a journey, many gender diverse people exist within a spectrum that may or may not be familiar to all and that is ok. This guide is to provide the professional community support that is needed for gender diverse people.

Like in any other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) area, wording and rights evolve.  Issues arise that cannot be anticipated and new generations have new challenges, vision, and expectations. With younger generations being more and more open to and affirming of gender diversity, there will be insight and battles that we cannot currently foresee. We hope that this document is a small part of making the veterinary profession a more welcoming space for those who identify as gender diverse.. Let us proceed together.

This guide is a brief introduction to the spectrum of gender diverse ideas and individuals that one may encounter. It is by no means comprehensive and many individuals will have perspectives or ideas that differ from what is presented here. The overall goal is to provide a baseline level of knowledge for those who may wish to know more and better understand and support people who may be gender diverse.

DEDICATION

To the past, present, and future veterinary professionals, out and not out, you are valid and heard. To the gender diverse kids who dream of helping animals someday, we hope you find your place here. Scaly, feathered or furred, our patients see us for who we are. To the transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming community beyond veterinary medicine – this is for you too.