LGVMA's GOOD NEWS!
originally printed in April 1999 issue

LGVMA continues to occupy JAVMA editorials

As many of our readers are aware, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association printed a Letter to the Editor in the January 1, 1999, issue (pp. 25-26). The original letter from Dr. John Parker of Novi, Michigan, was printed, along with the response from LGVMA President, Dr. Tim Withers. Dr. Parker’s original letter stated that he was “dismayed to find the activities of the LGVMA reported alongside those of other associations” in the October 15, 1998, issue of JAVMA (p. 1106).

Then in the March 1, 1999, issue (pp. 614-616), the JAVMA published a veritable flood of responses to the original letters. A total of six veterinarians from across North America wrote to comment on Dr. Parker’s letter, including Dr. Albert Koltveit (former Editor-In-Chief of JAVMA and a former recipient of the LGVMA Achievement Award in 1997) and Dr. Susan Hyland (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Wisconsin).

The authors offered a variety of viewpoints on Dr. Parker’s letter. Dr. Parker was given the opportunity to respond to each letter. In some respects, Dr. Parker expanded upon his former letter, conceding that:

  • the LGVMA’s “activities are noble and worthwhile to its members” and that our goals are “admirable”;
  • “some or all of the LGVMA members may have, or continue, to face unpleasant circumstances related to their lifestyle”;
  • “I’m sorry that Dr. Tansey feels the need to imply that my intent was ‘antigay’, ‘hateful’ or disrespectful, especially because that was not my intent”;
  • “I can only hope that a group such as the LGVMA might be able to help those who have difficulty with discussion of such a controversial issue” as hatred, violence and the hidden agenda of many who preach tolerance but are truly seeking condemnation of Gay and Lesbian people;
  • “I fully agree that there should be no bigotry or harassment in the veterinary school community. However, I would not limit the scope to veterinary school, nor to homosexual people, but rather include the veterinary profession as a whole and people of varied ethnic and racial backgrounds as well.”

    All told, Dr. Parker’s basic premise continued to be that “the LGVMA is primarily a social issue and support group” interested in “social reform” instead of scientific advancement and therefore the activities of the LGVMA should not be included in JAVMA.

    The response from Dr. Janis Audin, the Editor of the JAVMA, countered Dr. Parker’s assertions by stating, in part:
    “Dr. Parker, in his response to Dr. Koltveit, suggests that the JAVMA should restrict news reporting to scientifically oriented associations. However, in keeping with one of the missions of the JAVMA — to provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of ideas important to the profession — the JAVMA News and certain features encompass the economic, social, and political as well as news and issues of a scientific nature.”

    We encourage everyone to read the full text of the letters printed in JAVMA and to write a letter of support and thanks to Dr. Audin. She needs all of our support and our acknowledgement that she has made the correct professional editorial decision.