I'm Gay and I Went Vegan for Years as a Way to Hi It | SELF

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• OPN: DO QUEER PEOPLE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATN TO BE VEGETARIANS?"OUR MUNY IS FAR TOO FAIAR WH VLENCE AND IGNORANCE TO FEED TO A SYSTEM THAT PROFS OFF OF ABG AND SLGHTERG NOCENT BODI."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY ELIZABETH ENOCHSJULY 9, 2018/3:05 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2279PX;WIDTH:3425PX;}APE/UIG VIA GETTYLARGE WHE PIG, S SCROFA DOMTIC, SOW SOW STALL. A BREED WILY ED FOR CROSSBREEDG BY MERCIAL PIG FARMERS FOR HIGH QUALY MEAT PRODUCTN. SARTHE VALLEY, FRANCE. (PHOTO BY: APE/UIG VIA GETTY IMAG)BY ELIZABETH ENOCHSJULY 9, 2018 / 3:05 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OPN: DO QUEER PEOPLE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATN TO BE VEGETARIANS?","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2018-07-09T19:05:21.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2018-07-09T19:05:21.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ELIZABETH ENOCHS","KEYWORDS":"OPN","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I DON’T KNOW WHY TOOK ME SO LONG TO E OUT TO MYSELF,” I TOLD MY IEND AS WE STROLLED ALONG SANTA MONI BOULEVARD, CELEBRATG LOS ANGEL' ANNUAL PRI PARA. “I HAD SEX WH A WOMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME BEFORE I HAD SEX WH A MAN FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND MY FIRST SEX DREAM STARRED A FULLY STUMED LADY GAGA.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS MY FIRST PRI PARA EVER, BUT THE BTERSWEETNS OF THE EXPERIENCE KEPT GIVG ME EMOTNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE ONE HAND, I HAD NEVER SEEN SO MANY FELLOW OUT-AND-PROUD BISEXUALS MY LIFE. (WE EVEN GOT OUR OWN UNIRN FLOAT!) ON THE OTHER HAND, I ULDN’T HELP FEELG A B DISURAGED: VEGETARIAN LGBTQ ACTIVISTS LIKE ANGELA DAVIS AND AUDRE LOR SPIRED ME TO STOP EATG MEAT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, BUT I ULD BARELY TURN AROUND AT LA PRI WHOUT BUMPG TO A FULLY LOAD HOT DOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I DCHED DAIRY AND EGGS LAST YEAR AFTER LEARNG ABOUT THE MANY WAYS FEMALE-FARMED ANIMALS ARE BTALIZED FOR THE PRODUCTS. LIKE TOO MANY BISEXUAL WOMEN, I KNOW WHAT FEELS LIKE TO BE FORCIBLY DOMATED, VLATED, AND, A MANNER OF SPEAKG, NSUMED. ALTHOUGH PEOPLE OM ALL GENRS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATNS EXPERIENCE ABE AND SEXUAL ASSLT, MULTIPLE STUDI SHOW THAT BISEXUAL WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN STRAIGHT OR LBIAN WOMEN TO EXPERIENCE PHYSIL VLENCE, STALKG, AND/OR RAPE AT THE HANDS OF AN TIMATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR ALL THE REASONS, SEEG OTHER LGBTQ FOLKS—AND PECIALLY OTHER BISEXUAL WOMEN—EATG ANIMALS N LEAVE ME FEELG CREDIBLY SAD. OUR MUNY IS FAR TOO FAIAR WH VLENCE AND IGNORANCE TO FEED TO A SYSTEM THAT PROFS OFF OF ABG AND SLGHTERG NOCENT BODI—PARTICULARLY FEMALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE IA THAT THE EXPLOATN OF WS, CHICKENS, AND PIGS IS ACCEPTABLE, WHILE THE EXPLOATN OF DOGS AND TS IS NOT, IS BASED ON THE FLAWED BELIEF THAT ANIMALS ED FOR FOOD ARE SOMEHOW LS WORTHY OF PASSN. THIS IS THE SAME LOGIC THAT HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA, SEXISM, RACISM, ABLEISM, AND EVERY OTHER FORM OF DISCRIMATN ARE BASED ON. LIKE EVERY GROUP OF HUMANS THAT HAS EVER BEEN LABELED “OTHER,” FARMED ANIMALS ARE BULLIED AND KILLED SIMPLY BEE SOCIETY HAS EMED THEM UNSERVG OF OUR LOVE OR NCERN, THEIR BODILY TONOMY AND SIRE FOR A HAPPY LIFE SOMEHOW “DIFFERENT.” IT’S EXACTLY WHY I FEEL LIKE THE LGBTQ MUNY HAS A SPECIAL RPONSIBILY TO STAND UP FOR ALL ANIMALS—WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EMPATHIZE WH VOICELS VICTIMS OF VLENCE.TIM GRAHAM/GETTYIRELAND - JUNE 01: YOUNG LV CRAMMED TIGHTLY TOGETHER A PEN AT TTLE CTN ENNIS, COUNTY CLARE, WT OF IRELAND (PHOTO BY TIM GRAHAM/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT SAID, I FEEL THAT I MEET MORE “ALMOST VEGETARIANS” THE QUEER MUNY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE. I MET ONE SUCH PERSON AT LA PRI THIS YEAR, AND SHE GAVE ME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I FEEL LIKE I’M STRADDLG THE VEGETARIAN LE,” SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I NODD KNOWGLY. SHE HAD JT FISHED TELLG ME ABOUT THE EXTENSIVE REARCH THAT SHE AND HER PARTNER HAD DONE TO FD EGGS OM CHICKENS KEPT “NATURAL NDNS.” (BUT THERE’S REALLY NOTHG “NATURAL” ABOUT PTIVY, EVEN FOR CHICKENS.) THIS WAS PRECED BY A HEARTFELT STORY TAILG THE FIRST TIME SHE’D EVER BOND WH A W AND ABOUT HOW THAT HAD BEEN THE FIRST TIME SHE’D FELT SAD ABOUT EATG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WELL, I MEND YOU FOR DOG REARCH,” I REPLIED. THEN I GAVE HER THE SAME ADVICE I GIVE EVERYONE WHO FEELS EVEN A LTLE B WEIRD ABOUT EATG ANIMALS: “KEEP REARCHG.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOOKED FOR VEG-IENDLY OPTNS AT PRI, BUT OTHER THAN THE SOY K VANILLA LATTE THAT MY TRANS GODSS OF A BARISTA SERVED ME MID-PARA, THERE WERE ZERO FAST-AND-EASY VEG OPTNS TO BE FOUND. THE BIG GAY ICE CREAM TCK ACTUALLY MAK A POT OF SERVG ONLY DAIRY-BASED ICE CREAM, SPE THE WELL-DOCUMENTED FACT THAT SO MUCH SUFFERG GO TO DAIRY PRODUCTN. OF URSE, THIS IS LA—I DIDN’T HAVE TO GO HOME HUNGRY. I STOPPED BY THE WT HOLLYWOOD WHOLE FOODS POST-PARA TO FEAST ON A LIC MEAL OF SAVORY MAC AND YEASE AND THE BT VEGAN CHOLATE CHIP MUFFS I’VE EVER HAD.EDW REMSBURG/VW PICS VIA GETTYTHREE KG WS LED STALLS ON A DAIRY FARM. (PHOTO BY: EDW REMSBURG/VW PICS VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I REALIZE THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ MUNY AREN’T ALWAYS GIVEN THE LUXURY OF OPTNS. OF THE 1.6 LN HOMELS YOUNG PEOPLE LIVG AMERI TODAY, 40% INTIFY AS LGBTQ. EQUALLY UPSETTG, 46% OF HOMELS LGBTQ YOUTHS RAN AWAY BEE OF FAY REJECTN OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR INTY, AND 43% WERE FORCED OUT BY THEIR FOLKS. STILL, ANIMAL RIGHTS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ALL OF . THE TTH IS, FACTORY FARMG IS NOT JT HARMG ANIMALS; IS STROYG THE PLA, EXPLOG THE POOR AND MUNI OF LOR, AND CREATG A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THROUGH THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ANIMAL-BASED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORTUNATELY, EATG VEGAN IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN MOST PEOPLE THK. IT IS PLETELY POSSIBLE TO EAT VEGAN FOR A WEEK WH ONLY $20, AND MANY FAST FOOD CHAS — LIKE TA BELL, BURGER KG, AND WHE CASTLE — OFFER VEG-IENDLY OPTNS. MOST FOOD BANKS OFFER A VARIETY OF PLANT-BASED STAPL AS WELL, LIKE RICE, BEANS, SOY K, PASTA, AND NNED VEGGI. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT SIMPLY CUTTG BACK ON ANIMAL PRODUCTS HELPS ANIMALS, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OUR OWN HEALTH.JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/GETTYBROILER CHICKENS S SI A GE AT THE MBARE MARKET HARARE ON JUNE 9, 2017. SOUTH AI HAS HALTED POULTRY IMPORTS OM ZIMBABWE AFTER A RECENT OUTBREAK OF HIGHLY NTAG AVIAN FLUENZA AT A FARM THE NEIGHBOURG UNTRY, THE ERNMENT SAID. THE PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID ALTHOUGH SOUTH AI IMPORTS "VERY LTLE" POULTRY PRODUCTS OM ZIMBABWE, HAS "SPEND ALL TRA LIVE POULTRY, MEAT AND TABLE EGGS" OM S NORTHERN NEIGHBOUR AND HAS STEPPED UP SURVEILLANCE. OTHER NEIGHBOURG UNTRI HAVE ALSO IMPOSED POULTRY IMPORT BANS. / AFP PHOTO / JEKAI NJIKIZANA (PHOTO CRED SHOULD READ JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT MIGHT BE A WHILE BEFORE THE LGBTQ MUNY IS PREDOMATELY VEGETARIAN, BUT THE ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS ALREADY QUEER AS HELL. HOPEFULLY, AS THE PLANT-BASED FOOD SECTOR NTU TO GROW AND U.S. SAL OF DAIRY-EE K ALTERNATIV NTUE TO SOAR, MORE QUEER FOLKS WILL MAKE THE PASSNATE DIET CHANGE. THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNI TO TAKE STEPS FORWARD. FOR EXAMPLE, AS A HUGE FAN OF THE QUEER EYE REBOOT, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANTONI TAKE CHARGE OF PREPARG MORE VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN MEALS ON THE SHOW. CUTTG OM A HEARTFELT SEGMENT ABOUT LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE TO A SHOT OF ANTONI GRILLG AD ANIMALS IS ALWAYS A JARRG EXPERIENCE FOR ME, AND I KNOW I’M NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE THG IS FOR CERTA THOUGH: WE NEED MORE UNRSTANDG AND ACCEPTANCE OF ANIMALS THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT. EVEN THOUGH PRI LEFT ME FEELG CELEBRATED A WAY I’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED, BEG VEGAN AT PRI FELT KD OF LIKE BEG THE ONLY BISEXUAL A QUEER CLUB—TOTALLY AT HOME, YET PLETELY SET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• I BEME VEGAN TO HI THE FACT THAT I'M GAY
• VEGETARIANS ARE GAY, VEGANS ARE TRANSSEXUAL

OPN: DO QUEER PEOPLE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATN TO BE VEGETARIANS?"OUR MUNY IS FAR TOO FAIAR WH VLENCE AND IGNORANCE TO FEED TO A SYSTEM THAT PROFS OFF OF ABG AND SLGHTERG NOCENT BODI."{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY ELIZABETH ENOCHSJULY 9, 2018/3:05 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2279PX;WIDTH:3425PX;}APE/UIG VIA GETTYLARGE WHE PIG, S SCROFA DOMTIC, SOW SOW STALL. A BREED WILY ED FOR CROSSBREEDG BY MERCIAL PIG FARMERS FOR HIGH QUALY MEAT PRODUCTN. SARTHE VALLEY, FRANCE. (PHOTO BY: APE/UIG VIA GETTY IMAG)BY ELIZABETH ENOCHSJULY 9, 2018 / 3:05 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"OPN: DO QUEER PEOPLE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATN TO BE VEGETARIANS?","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2018-07-09T19:05:21.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2018-07-09T19:05:21.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ELIZABETH ENOCHS","KEYWORDS":"OPN","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I DON’T KNOW WHY TOOK ME SO LONG TO E OUT TO MYSELF,” I TOLD MY IEND AS WE STROLLED ALONG SANTA MONI BOULEVARD, CELEBRATG LOS ANGEL' ANNUAL PRI PARA. “I HAD SEX WH A WOMAN FOR THE FIRST TIME BEFORE I HAD SEX WH A MAN FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND MY FIRST SEX DREAM STARRED A FULLY STUMED LADY GAGA.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT WAS MY FIRST PRI PARA EVER, BUT THE BTERSWEETNS OF THE EXPERIENCE KEPT GIVG ME EMOTNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE ONE HAND, I HAD NEVER SEEN SO MANY FELLOW OUT-AND-PROUD BISEXUALS MY LIFE. (WE EVEN GOT OUR OWN UNIRN FLOAT!) ON THE OTHER HAND, I ULDN’T HELP FEELG A B DISURAGED: VEGETARIAN LGBTQ ACTIVISTS LIKE ANGELA DAVIS AND AUDRE LOR SPIRED ME TO STOP EATG MEAT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, BUT I ULD BARELY TURN AROUND AT LA PRI WHOUT BUMPG TO A FULLY LOAD HOT DOG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I DCHED DAIRY AND EGGS LAST YEAR AFTER LEARNG ABOUT THE MANY WAYS FEMALE-FARMED ANIMALS ARE BTALIZED FOR THE PRODUCTS. LIKE TOO MANY BISEXUAL WOMEN, I KNOW WHAT FEELS LIKE TO BE FORCIBLY DOMATED, VLATED, AND, A MANNER OF SPEAKG, NSUMED. ALTHOUGH PEOPLE OM ALL GENRS AND SEXUAL ORIENTATNS EXPERIENCE ABE AND SEXUAL ASSLT, MULTIPLE STUDI SHOW THAT BISEXUAL WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN STRAIGHT OR LBIAN WOMEN TO EXPERIENCE PHYSIL VLENCE, STALKG, AND/OR RAPE AT THE HANDS OF AN TIMATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR ALL THE REASONS, SEEG OTHER LGBTQ FOLKS—AND PECIALLY OTHER BISEXUAL WOMEN—EATG ANIMALS N LEAVE ME FEELG CREDIBLY SAD. OUR MUNY IS FAR TOO FAIAR WH VLENCE AND IGNORANCE TO FEED TO A SYSTEM THAT PROFS OFF OF ABG AND SLGHTERG NOCENT BODI—PARTICULARLY FEMALE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE IA THAT THE EXPLOATN OF WS, CHICKENS, AND PIGS IS ACCEPTABLE, WHILE THE EXPLOATN OF DOGS AND TS IS NOT, IS BASED ON THE FLAWED BELIEF THAT ANIMALS ED FOR FOOD ARE SOMEHOW LS WORTHY OF PASSN. THIS IS THE SAME LOGIC THAT HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA, SEXISM, RACISM, ABLEISM, AND EVERY OTHER FORM OF DISCRIMATN ARE BASED ON. LIKE EVERY GROUP OF HUMANS THAT HAS EVER BEEN LABELED “OTHER,” FARMED ANIMALS ARE BULLIED AND KILLED SIMPLY BEE SOCIETY HAS EMED THEM UNSERVG OF OUR LOVE OR NCERN, THEIR BODILY TONOMY AND SIRE FOR A HAPPY LIFE SOMEHOW “DIFFERENT.” IT’S EXACTLY WHY I FEEL LIKE THE LGBTQ MUNY HAS A SPECIAL RPONSIBILY TO STAND UP FOR ALL ANIMALS—WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EMPATHIZE WH VOICELS VICTIMS OF VLENCE.TIM GRAHAM/GETTYIRELAND - JUNE 01: YOUNG LV CRAMMED TIGHTLY TOGETHER A PEN AT TTLE CTN ENNIS, COUNTY CLARE, WT OF IRELAND (PHOTO BY TIM GRAHAM/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT SAID, I FEEL THAT I MEET MORE “ALMOST VEGETARIANS” THE QUEER MUNY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE. I MET ONE SUCH PERSON AT LA PRI THIS YEAR, AND SHE GAVE ME {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I FEEL LIKE I’M STRADDLG THE VEGETARIAN LE,” SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I NODD KNOWGLY. SHE HAD JT FISHED TELLG ME ABOUT THE EXTENSIVE REARCH THAT SHE AND HER PARTNER HAD DONE TO FD EGGS OM CHICKENS KEPT “NATURAL NDNS.” (BUT THERE’S REALLY NOTHG “NATURAL” ABOUT PTIVY, EVEN FOR CHICKENS.) THIS WAS PRECED BY A HEARTFELT STORY TAILG THE FIRST TIME SHE’D EVER BOND WH A W AND ABOUT HOW THAT HAD BEEN THE FIRST TIME SHE’D FELT SAD ABOUT EATG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WELL, I MEND YOU FOR DOG REARCH,” I REPLIED. THEN I GAVE HER THE SAME ADVICE I GIVE EVERYONE WHO FEELS EVEN A LTLE B WEIRD ABOUT EATG ANIMALS: “KEEP REARCHG.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I LOOKED FOR VEG-IENDLY OPTNS AT PRI, BUT OTHER THAN THE SOY K VANILLA LATTE THAT MY TRANS GODSS OF A BARISTA SERVED ME MID-PARA, THERE WERE ZERO FAST-AND-EASY VEG OPTNS TO BE FOUND. THE BIG GAY ICE CREAM TCK ACTUALLY MAK A POT OF SERVG ONLY DAIRY-BASED ICE CREAM, SPE THE WELL-DOCUMENTED FACT THAT SO MUCH SUFFERG GO TO DAIRY PRODUCTN. OF URSE, THIS IS LA—I DIDN’T HAVE TO GO HOME HUNGRY. I STOPPED BY THE WT HOLLYWOOD WHOLE FOODS POST-PARA TO FEAST ON A LIC MEAL OF SAVORY MAC AND YEASE AND THE BT VEGAN CHOLATE CHIP MUFFS I’VE EVER HAD.EDW REMSBURG/VW PICS VIA GETTYTHREE KG WS LED STALLS ON A DAIRY FARM. (PHOTO BY: EDW REMSBURG/VW PICS VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}I REALIZE THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ MUNY AREN’T ALWAYS GIVEN THE LUXURY OF OPTNS. OF THE 1.6 LN HOMELS YOUNG PEOPLE LIVG AMERI TODAY, 40% INTIFY AS LGBTQ. EQUALLY UPSETTG, 46% OF HOMELS LGBTQ YOUTHS RAN AWAY BEE OF FAY REJECTN OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATN OR GENR INTY, AND 43% WERE FORCED OUT BY THEIR FOLKS. STILL, ANIMAL RIGHTS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS ALL OF . THE TTH IS, FACTORY FARMG IS NOT JT HARMG ANIMALS; IS STROYG THE PLA, EXPLOG THE POOR AND MUNI OF LOR, AND CREATG A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THROUGH THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF ANIMAL-BASED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FORTUNATELY, EATG VEGAN IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN MOST PEOPLE THK. IT IS PLETELY POSSIBLE TO EAT VEGAN FOR A WEEK WH ONLY $20, AND MANY FAST FOOD CHAS — LIKE TA BELL, BURGER KG, AND WHE CASTLE — OFFER VEG-IENDLY OPTNS. MOST FOOD BANKS OFFER A VARIETY OF PLANT-BASED STAPL AS WELL, LIKE RICE, BEANS, SOY K, PASTA, AND NNED VEGGI. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT SIMPLY CUTTG BACK ON ANIMAL PRODUCTS HELPS ANIMALS, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OUR OWN HEALTH.JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/GETTYBROILER CHICKENS S SI A GE AT THE MBARE MARKET HARARE ON JUNE 9, 2017. SOUTH AI HAS HALTED POULTRY IMPORTS OM ZIMBABWE AFTER A RECENT OUTBREAK OF HIGHLY NTAG AVIAN FLUENZA AT A FARM THE NEIGHBOURG UNTRY, THE ERNMENT SAID. THE PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID ALTHOUGH SOUTH AI IMPORTS "VERY LTLE" POULTRY PRODUCTS OM ZIMBABWE, HAS "SPEND ALL TRA LIVE POULTRY, MEAT AND TABLE EGGS" OM S NORTHERN NEIGHBOUR AND HAS STEPPED UP SURVEILLANCE. OTHER NEIGHBOURG UNTRI HAVE ALSO IMPOSED POULTRY IMPORT BANS. / AFP PHOTO / JEKAI NJIKIZANA (PHOTO CRED SHOULD READ JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT MIGHT BE A WHILE BEFORE THE LGBTQ MUNY IS PREDOMATELY VEGETARIAN, BUT THE ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS ALREADY QUEER AS HELL. HOPEFULLY, AS THE PLANT-BASED FOOD SECTOR NTU TO GROW AND U.S. SAL OF DAIRY-EE K ALTERNATIV NTUE TO SOAR, MORE QUEER FOLKS WILL MAKE THE PASSNATE DIET CHANGE. THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNI TO TAKE STEPS FORWARD. FOR EXAMPLE, AS A HUGE FAN OF THE QUEER EYE REBOOT, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANTONI TAKE CHARGE OF PREPARG MORE VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN MEALS ON THE SHOW. CUTTG OM A HEARTFELT SEGMENT ABOUT LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE TO A SHOT OF ANTONI GRILLG AD ANIMALS IS ALWAYS A JARRG EXPERIENCE FOR ME, AND I KNOW I’M NOT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE THG IS FOR CERTA THOUGH: WE NEED MORE UNRSTANDG AND ACCEPTANCE OF ANIMALS THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT. EVEN THOUGH PRI LEFT ME FEELG CELEBRATED A WAY I’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED, BEG VEGAN AT PRI FELT KD OF LIKE BEG THE ONLY BISEXUAL A QUEER CLUB—TOTALLY AT HOME, YET PLETELY SET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

This is the same logic that homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexism, racism, ableism, and every other form of discrimatn are based on.

I BEME VEGAN TO HI THE FACT THAT I'M GAY

The Big Gay Ice Cream tck actually mak a pot of servg only dairy-based ice cream, spe the well-documented fact that so much sufferg go to dairy productn. I beme acctomed to teasg and shamg – om digs at the apparently tastels gel I was nsumg to the ubiquo e of “gay” as an sult, mostly om guys who seemed offend by my cisn to not eat ad thgs.

VEGETARIANS ARE GAY, VEGANS ARE TRANSSEXUAL

I get lled a ‘soy boy’ and there’s a lot of: ‘Ed mt be gay, bee he’s vegan. It was somethg to take my md off of my prsn, which, spe beg treated wh meditn, nearly pacated me durg the wter and whenever I was a the middle of my sophomore year at Oh State Universy, I noticed this girl. I stood the shower that night sobbg, wh the words “I’m gay” repeatg over and over my md like a twisted the next month, I me out to myself aga and aga, floatg through my daily activi wh a new lens of queerns.

“I’m gay, ” I’d thk as I oked breakfast, soped the t box, or did Sun Salutatns. “I know why I’ve been actg the way I have, ” I sputtered through tears, “It’s bee I’m gay.