As a gay, male veterinary nurse I am well aware of the need for better inclusion, diversity and equality within the profession. As a young man I struggled coming to terms with my sexuality. I didn't come out until my early 20s, and when I did come out to my work colleagues, it was liberating; most were supportive, although some were not and even made jokes at my expense. It was a deeply emotional point in my life, and I wish there had been better support from the industry. But, times have changed for the better over the 25 years since I joined the profession, and there are now many more resources and support groups available to those who struggle with either sexuality or gender variance.
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots (the first ever Gay Pride event); as part of this I joined Liverpool Pride, alongside other members of the British Veterinary LGBTQ+ group (https://www.facebook.com/bvlgbt/).
This year most Pride events were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the veterinary community turned to the internet to spread the word of acceptance and an end to prejudice. Colleagues of both the LGBTQ+ and BAME communities came together to present a series of short videos highlighting the discrimination that still goes on now, even though we are more supportive of diversity in society and the workplace. In a joint statement BVLGBTQ+ and the British Veterinary Equality and Diversity Society (BVEDS) said: ‘Discrimination blights lives, whether based on race, sex, sexuality or gender identity. The trans woman mocked at work and unsupported by her employer, the black vet turned away from farms because of his colour — these are stories from our profession today. Now is the time for all of us to pause and consider our part in it’. I couldn't agree more.
While the industry and society is more supportive and accepting of members of minority groups, there is still room for improvement. Vetlife, a support group for members of the veterinary industry, has guidance on LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the workplace (https://www.vetlife.org.uk/work-issues/bullying-discrimination/lgbt-inclusion/). They highlighted that employees should be able to be themselves in the workplace and be open and honest about their personal life without it impacting on their work: this includes sexuality or gender variance, as well as differing gender or ethnicity. Those who are open and honest are less likely to suffer with depression, distraction and exhaustion. Workplaces need to provide an LGBTQ+ support policy, which would promote openness of employees, and provide the same support as that given to those who suffer from sexual or ethnic discrimination.
Only last year during his opening speech, the then president of the RCVS, Dr Niall Connell called for more improvement in the diversity within the profession and pledged to help make the industry more accessible to those from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
This month has seen some firsts: Matthew Rendle has become the first male Chair of the VN Council, and Mandisa Greene has become the first black President of the RCVS. Both will be excellent role models. On, August 14–15 the first BVEDS conference, Courageous Conversations, will be held in association with BVLGBTQ+. Although some headway has been made from when I first joined the veterinary nursing profession, there is clearly still a long way to go to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the veterinary industry.