Celebrating Pride with Dr Peter Harlech Jones MRCVS

As part of this year's Pride celebrations, we've been asking veterinary professionals from across the LGBTQIA+ community to share a bit about their work and the importance of representation and inclusion, both within the veterinary world and beyond.

This week, we hear from past British Veterinary Association President, Dr Peter Harlech Jones BVCs MRCVS DL.

Can you tell us about your background and career in veterinary?

Following graduation at Liverpool, I spent several years in mixed and small animal practice in the UK and Canada. I then joined the veterinary pharmaceutical industry working in clinical research and regulatory affairs in both in the UK and overseas. I returned home in the mid-90s to take up a new appointment as Head of the Veterinary Division in the European Medicines Agency in London. It is to my huge regret that, following Brexit, the UK has now lost its membership to this Agency and its location in London, that many agree is one of the leading medicines regulatory bodies in the world.

Why is representation so important?

At the beginning of June, I was privileged and proud to attend our local North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner's annual award ceremony where the LGBT+ group of GISDA, a local charity providing support and accommodation for homeless young people in Gwynedd for which I'm a trustee, were given the 2023 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Representation at this level at an event attended by the great and the good of North Wales and organised by the police doesn't come any better. It gives recognition at the highest level to the needs of the LGBT+ community in North Wales.

What progress do you think has been made in terms of LGBTQIA+ inclusion over the years in the veterinary sector?

I was elected president of the BVA in 2012 as an openly gay man. I believe this very proud moment in my career of reaching such a senior role in my profession illustrates well the progress the veterinary community has made in accepting and representing LGBTQIA+ colleagues. It was not always thus; I did not come out to friends and family until my early thirties and nor in my professional life until I was 50 because I was so frightened of the consequences, but I now feel very fortunate to have just celebrated 22 years together with my husband Michael and being out to everyone!

What more is there still to be done? What are your hopes for the future?

Sadly, there is still homophobia out there and every sector of our profession needs to tackle it head on whenever and wherever it becomes apparent. We hear through Vetlife that there are still gay colleagues who are experiencing prejudice.

Sadly, there is still homophobia out there and every sector of our profession needs to tackle it head on whenever and wherever it becomes apparent.

My hope is that very soon we won't need to share profiles or blogs specifically from members of the community in our profession about our experiences, because it will have become a non-issue.