AVMA, VMAE become signatories of Pride VMC's 'Gender Identity Bill of Rights'

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) November 14, 2022—Marking another step forward in enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the veterinary profession, the American Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Medical Association Executives today announced the signing of Pride Veterinary Medical Community's (Pride VMC's) "Gender Identity Bill of Rights" (GIBOR).

The GIBOR is designed to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices against transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals in the veterinary profession, according to PrideVMC, an affinity group that advocates for the LGBTQ+ veterinary community.

As of early November, the GIBOR counts among its signatories 856 individuals and 177 organizations, including national and international associations, colleges and schools of veterinary medicine, veterinary practices, and animal health companies across the industry.

"Supporting the Gender Identity Bill of Rights is consistent with our belief in inclusion and will help to advance the AVMA's diversity initiatives," said Dr. Lori Teller (she, hers), President of the AVMA. "The GIBOR will help some people who may not have felt welcomed in the past to feel more comfortable and supported in our great profession in the future. We thank PrideVMC for its advocacy that will help all members of the veterinary community feel included and respected."

"VMAE serves executives who manage state, regional and specialty veterinary medical associations," said Tim Atkinson (he, his), VMAE President. "We actively promote diversity within our community through our programs and we are proud to sign on to the GIBOR. It provides us with a set of guiding principles to follow so that we can ensure that our association is welcoming to all, regardless of their gender identification."

Dr. Abby McElroy (she, hers), PrideVMC President, said: "We are grateful for the time, energy, and effort that the Gender Identity Bill of Rights (GIBOR) co-authors Dr. Erika Lin-Hendel, Dr. Ewan Wolff, and Dr. Jenna Ward have invested in the creation of this important document. Today we are thrilled with this announcement that both the AVMA and the VMAE have joined the numerous other organizations as signatories in support of these basic human rights for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. AVMA and VMAE support represents a higher order of partnership within organized veterinary medicine that we hope, along with other major groups, can lead to safe inclusive space within the entire profession, including our AVMA-accredited teaching institutions. We invite everyone in the veterinary profession to read the GIBOR and show their support by signing on."

For more information about GIBOR and how to endorse the document, visit pridevmc.org/gibor.