As soon as Beth Lancett-Ashill accepted a role at Valley Veterinary Hospital in Wales, she knew she was comfortable letting colleagues know she is LGBTQ+.
VetPartners supports our LGBTQ+ colleagues all year round, not just during Pride month, and is committed to creating inclusive, diverse workplaces.
Here, Beth shares how our culture of warmth and belonging enables her to feel comfortable being herself at work….
Beth is relaxed talking about the life she shares with her wife of four years, Nina, because she knows her colleagues embrace diversity and are accepting of what makes everyone different.
It hasn’t always been like that for Beth, who has faced reactions in other workplaces that have made her feel uncomfortable and not accepted for who she is.
“Valley Veterinary Hospital is a welcoming place to be and a lovely place to work,” said Beth.
“I am still a relatively new team member as I started here in September last year but I feel I can be open about my personal life with everyone.
“I can mention Nina in conversations and discuss what we’re doing socially at weekends without feeling judged, uncomfortable or that people will be prejudiced. I remember in the past when I was working in a different job, I was openly gay in the workplace, but I was told about remarks from one person who questioned whether I should be sharing a hotel room with another female colleague on a work trip. I felt upset as it was a needless conversation and made me feel uncomfortable about how people regarded me.”
Beth met Nina through mutual friends seven years ago, and married on Halloween 2019 in a Harry Potter-themed wedding attended by close family and friends. The couple live in Caerphilly with their beloved cat, Rocket, Jack Russell Terriers, Freya and Bean and, are renovating their home together.
A happy home life and her role on the reception team at Valley Veterinary Hospital – a state-of-the-art facility in Gwaelod y Garth, near Cardiff – means life is good for Beth. A newcomer to working in veterinary practice, she loves being part of a caring environment.
“I’m very happy and content with my life,” she said.
“I came out to my family when I was 21 after previously telling friends, and they were amazing and so supportive. Nina and I have friends who are gay, straight and transgender so we are a part of a very diverse friendship group.
“I am also lucky to enjoy my job and being able to help clients who come in with their pets. Our clients are diverse; we have same-sex couples who come in with their pets and I hope they feel welcome when they come through our doors.
“I’ve always been a caring, supportive person and being there when people need you most is a rewarding part of the job.”
VetPartners marks LGBTQ+ Pride month every year and Beth welcomes the opportunity for organisations to highlight how they are LGBTQ+ inclusive.
“Pride month isn’t just a celebration; it is an acknowledgement of past struggles for human rights,” she said.
“It is an opportunity to remember how homosexuality was once a criminal offence and also to remember the Stonewall uprising and the incredible people who fought for equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“When you are walking down the street holding hands with your significant other, you do attract looks and this is why it is important to mark Pride to raise awareness. By respecting someone’s gender or sexual identity, by using the correct pronouns and inclusive language, this can create a safe working environment which results in people feeling validated, comfortable, accepted, and valued.
“A lot of organisations think they can put a rainbow logo on social media and that is enough, but it is good to see VetPartners is promoting equality and awareness 365 days a year, which is so important.
“Celebrating Pride in the workplace provides a fantastic opportunity for education and promotion of pro-equality legislation. VetPartners embodies the ethos of ensuring that equality, diversity, and inclusion remain a priority within the organisation, not only for its employees but also for its service users.
“VetPartners also provides adoption leave which is wonderful, there are reporting procedures in place if anyone faces discrimination and it has a culture of being inclusive and welcoming to everyone.”
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director. Email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk