Throughout Pride Month, BVNA will be raising visibility of individuals making up the LGBTQIA+ community within the veterinary nursing profession.

In this blog, we hear from Hannah Redden, a student veterinary nurse (SVN) who discusses the support and acceptance she has received from her workplace which actively promotes individuality and inclusivity. She also shares with us the power of representation and allyship, and how this can help to create workplaces where individuals feel safe, respected and able to show up authentically.

As a proud lesbian and student veterinary nurse, I have often felt uncertain about whether I would be accepted by my colleagues. While this uncertainty has sometimes made me hesitant to be completely open about my personal life, my experience within my current workplace has been overwhelmingly positive.

My workplace actively promotes individuality, and seeing other members of the LGBTQIA+ community in senior positions has helped me feel more comfortable and confident in being myself. My colleagues have always been accepting of both me and my partner, creating an environment where I feel valued for who I am rather than judged for my sexuality.

There have been occasions where I have felt that clients have treated me differently, been dismissive, or even refused to deal with me in situations where they did not behave the same way towards my colleagues. Experiences like these can be upsetting and isolating, particularly when you are already questioning whether you will be accepted. However, having the unwavering support of my colleagues and workplace has made all the difference. Knowing that my team accepts me, values me, and would stand beside me if I experienced discrimination gives me the confidence to continue being myself.

I believe that increasing the visibility of LGBTQIA+ professionals within the veterinary profession is incredibly important. Representation helps people feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work, which is especially significant considering how much of our lives we spend in the workplace. It also benefits our clients, as seeing diverse veterinary professionals can help members of the LGBTQIA+ community feel more comfortable, understood, and welcomed when accessing our services.

The importance of allyship cannot be overstated. Knowing that colleagues accept and support you regardless of your sexual orientation provides a sense of security and belonging. Having allies who are willing to challenge prejudice, support you through difficult situations, and stand beside you when faced with discrimination or insensitive comments is invaluable.

Overall, my experience has shown me the positive impact that representation, inclusivity, and allyship can have within the veterinary profession. By continuing to promote these values, we can create workplaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to be themselves.

Thank you, Hannah, for being willing to share your experiences with us.

By increasing visibility of the rich diversity within the veterinary nursing workforce, we hope to inspire others and widen participation – whilst demonstrating to those already in the veterinary nursing profession that you are not alone.

To help BVNA to promote a more inclusive, supportive and representative profession, we’d love to hear from those within the LGBTQIA+ community and allies with your experiences. Please get in touch at bvna@bvna.co.uk.