About Our Organization

Mission Statement
Broad Spectrum Veterinary Student Association’s mission is to connect, support and empower community for LGBT+* students and allies across veterinary education.
*LGBT + will be used as an inclusive acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer,Questioning, Asexual and others who self-identify on the sexual orientation and/or gender expression continuums.

Vision Statement
Broad Spectrum desires greater support and a sense of community for all LGBT+ students and allies throughout veterinary medical education. We actively strive to counter episodes of bigotry and marginalization with positive messages of diversity and inclusion. We have healthy, supportive and encouraging relationships with pre-veterinary, veterinary and graduate students, faculty, staff and administrators. We are known for advocating for the respect and equality of seen and unseen LGBT+ members in the academic veterinary community and beyond. We contribute to the development of safe and welcoming veterinary school environments for pre- and current veterinary students. Broad Spectrum makes veterinary schools more inclusive for all students, especially LGBT+ students. We accomplish this by starting important and courageous conversations about LGBT+ inclusion, in addition to maintaining much needed support for LGBT+ students in veterinary medicine.

Our History

We were founded in 2011 at the SAVMA Symposium hosted by UC Davis. The name 'Broad Spectrum' came out of a calculated attempt to be as inclusive as possible to any student who falls anywhere on the spectra of sexuality, sex, or gender. We welcome all students no matter their sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression. And yes, allies, this means we welcome you, too!

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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Tell Veterinarian to Remove Anti-Gay Sign

The LGVMA

It is sad to have to report that during a time of caring, love and family, we have recently heard of a member of our profession who is using his professional status to belittle the LGBTQ community. By posting divisive and inflammatory comments on his veterinary hospital sign, Dr. Joseph (Jody) Kincaid is spreading hate in his community. Unfortunately, this demonstrates how deep the enmity for the LGBTQ community is in some people's hearts. Although legal, his behavior seems professionally unethical because Dr. Kincaid uses his position as a practice owner to spread hate.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/815/496/107/tell-veterinarian-to-remove-anti-gay-sign/

The Board of the LGVMA is working on if and how to respond to this issue and we are in active discussions with the AVMA leadership and several other regional and national level organizations about this topic -- and we are getting a lot of support!   It is very interesting to read the comments of the 12,000+ supporters of the petition. The petition is to urge Dr. Kincaid to focus on helping animals at his practice instead of promoting inflammatory political views.  


We want to respond with inclusion and tolerance.  We can’t change people’s beliefs and we all have the first amendment. However, public homophobia should not be tolerated in a professional environment- such as a veterinary clinic. Please, consider supporting the petition in any way you can- forward it to like-minded friends and colleagues or perhaps you’ll write a letter to the editor. Anything you can do to show you care will help.  We appreciate each of you and will keep you posted. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions.


Want to see some of the news stories that covered the signs?
Here they are:

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Controversial-animal-clinic-sign-upsets-LGBT-community-63640.shtml#.VJXdTf-kAA

http://www.ktsmradio.com/search/kincaid


http://www.gaynewstoday.com/texas-business-owner-puts-up-sign-saying-the-glbt-agenda-is-bad-for-towleroad/

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