VetPartners is committed to ensuring our businesses and practices are places where our colleagues feel respected and supported.
June is Pride month – a date in the calendar dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities all around the world.
For many within the LGBTQIA+ community, Pride month is a time to embrace their true selves, a freedom that has been hard won and continues to be vital in a world where prejudice can still cast a long shadow.
Here, Business Development Director Ben Walsh reveals how being part of an inclusive, diverse veterinary group empowers him to be his true and authentic self….
BEN Walsh knows first-hand the hurt of being targeted simply for who he loves.
He recounts moments on nights out, when the casual laughter turned to something more chilling, and even left him questioning his safety on a couple of occasions.
Whilst he possesses a personal strength that allows him to deflect hateful words, these experiences have instilled in him a deep empathy for those who may struggle to embrace their identity in the face of discrimination – a burden that can profoundly impact mental wellbeing.
It is within this context that Ben finds immense comfort in the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere at VetPartners.
As a Business Development Director for the North West, with a background as a veterinary nurse, Ben’s insights are invaluable.
Beyond his professional role, he passionately champions equality and diversity as an LGBTQIA+ ambassador within the group.
Ben said: “Coming out at 17, I’ve been fortunate to reach a point where holding my partner’s hand in public feels natural. The progress the LGBTQIA+ community has made is significant, and Pride month is a crucial time to foster further understanding.
“The vibrant colours of the Pride flag often serve as a powerful reminder. It’s a celebration of identity, a testament to resilience, and a call for unwavering acceptance.
‘I feel genuine acceptance at VetPartners’
“I feel incredibly lucky to be in a profession where open-mindedness prevails. The presence of inspiring LGBTQIA+ leaders within our practices creates workplaces that are genuinely diverse, fair, and supportive.”
Pride Month serves as a vital link to the legacy of Stonewall and the activism that ignited the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.
It’s a time for community, for shared celebration, and for reflection on the journey towards equality – a journey in which many VetPartners teams actively participate in parades across the UK, including Manchester, Cardiff, York and Brighton.
Ben said: “Ultimately, it’s about being recognised as a human being. Who someone chooses to love should have no bearing on their worth in the workplace or in society.”
His experience at VetPartners has been one of genuine acceptance from day one.
“I’ve never felt the need to be anything other than myself here,” he said.
“While I know that for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, coming out can be a daily experience with new people, at VetPartners, the culture of warmth and belonging eliminates that pressure.
“At VetPartners, this understanding isn’t just a sentiment – it’s a cornerstone of our culture.
“I feel my journey offers a good illustration of how an inclusive environment empowers individuals to thrive, both personally and professionally. My hope for the future is a society where sexual orientation no longer defines individuals, where the focus shifts to the person within.”
VetPartners central support team and practice teams are joining together to participate in Pride events around the UK.
Eight central support team colleagues are taking part in York Pride – North Yorkshire’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration and York’s biggest free one-day festival – on Saturday 7th June.
Colleagues from our practices across South Wales are participating in Pride Cymru in Cardiff on June 21st.
Team members from Abbey Vets, Park Vets, Maes Glas Vets and Valley Vets are joining together to take part in the parade in Cardiff city centre.
- For VetPartners media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director, at [email protected] or 07970 198492