Enewsletter

News from Vegan Outreach

Leafleting Opportunity

Jon Camp will be leafleting at Iowa State on Monday, 8/23 and at the University of Iowa on Tuesday, 8/24. He would love help so if you wish to join him at either location, please email jon@veganoutreach.org.

Notes from All Over

Liberation Now! – The National Student Animal Rights Conference

Join hundreds of young activists for the fourth annual “Liberation Now!” national student animal rights conference over Halloween weekend at the University of California – Berkeley. Early registration is only $10 and travel grants are available, please visit http://www.LiberationNow.com for more info.

Vegan Jobs at PETA

VegNews Award Ballot Now Available

Want to Take a Survey?

Patty Malesh, a graduate student in English and Rhetoric from the University of Arizona, is currently writing a dissertation on vegetarianism as a social movement--specifically on identity and the role of personal interaction as movement action. She is interested in hearing personal stories about how and why people became vegetarian/vegan and how this decision has affected other aspects of their life/lifestyle. If interested in being a part of her research, you can email her.

I Can't Believe It's Vegan!

"Wait a Minute!"

From Our Members

For about a year or two, I was debating the idea of becoming vegetarian. But I kept thinking, “It'll be so hard, I won’t be able to eat out, my boyfriend will be upset,” etc. I stayed in denial because I was raised a meat eater like everyone else.
     Every so often I would look things up about being vegetarian on the net, close the site, and go back to my old excuses. But then I stumbled onto Vegan Outreach. I learned enough about veganism/vegetarianism and cruelty to animals here to finally make the change. At first I thought I'd just "try" Boca Burgers, substitutes, etc. Before I knew it, I was a full-fledged vegetarian – I even cut back on dairy products! I plan to get two rescued chickens (names picked out already!) which I will treat well and give plenty of space to roam, and they will provide my eggs for me.
     Being vegetarian is easier than I thought. I started feeding vegetarian food to my boyfriend, and both he and I discovered that the Chik Patties, Chik'n Nuggets, and other substitutes are uber-tasty! I bet some of them could fool carnivores. He doesn't miss the fact that there's no meat in the house anymore. Plus, I talked to him about what I learned here (tail dockings, beak searing, chickens being boiled alive... all the new stuff I learned). And I think he listened.
     Later I asked him, "I know you're supporting my being vegetarian, and I love you for that, but can I ask - what do you really think about it?" He said he was proud of me, and that he doesn't believe the animals should be tortured too. So I responded, "Really! Well then why don't you want to be vegetarian with me?" The response was no longer, "Hell no!" It was "Hmm, it would be good, but I don't think I could."
     Familiar sounding – just like me a month ago! There is hope. I believe your website has started a chain reaction.
KG, 8/8/04

Because of your Why Vegan? pamphlet I picked up during a NYC Howard Dean rally this past winter, I became exposed to what really goes on in these hideous farm factories. I used to be a meat worshipper and ate immense portions like you wouldn't believe! But since reading that pamphlet and researching more on just how animals suffer in the world today, I have become a full-blown vegan starting this past May and going strong, proud, and full of fire! Thank you!
RC, Flushing, NY, 8/5/04

I love the approach you guys take. I’ve been vegan for 14 yrs now, but never fully comfortable with the approach or stigma attached to it. I have taken your view for many years now, doing the best I can and explaining it compassionately to people who are interested. I am no longer worried about the dietary minutiae or even the odd scrap of leather that might be in a shoe I buy that I cannot detect. As you say, it is always about decreasing suffering. And living in such a world there is a spectrum...we cannot be perfect, nor should we attempt that futile hurdle either. Nonetheless, I believe there are a lot more of me/us out there. I think though, we tend to be quieter about it and not the obstreperous vegans that often (unfortunately) get the limelight.
JB, 8/4/04

I’m 17 yrs old, and I haven’t eaten red meat for about 8 years now and I have been a vegetarian for about a year. Four months ago I decided to go vegan but it has been very difficult to give up many of my favorite foods. Whenever I eat vegan foods, I find that I have more energy, and just feel better all around. A week ago I decided to not label myself as a vegan, but to mainly eat vegan foods. But every time I go to a vegan restaurant or read one of your newsletters I feel bad about eating any animal products and want to switch back to being a full vegan - its just so hard! They hide animal products in everything - like milk powder or gelatin in cereals. I’m moving up to Santa Barbara for college in a week and I think it will be easier to become a vegan once I’m up there because I will shop for my own food instead of my parents who always buy eggs and milk, etc., and my mom bakes cakes and cookies all the time. Thank you for all the inspiration and support your newsletter has given me throughout my transition into an animal cruelty-free life!
KR, 8/4/04

The recent discussion on vegan behavior and how we are seen by the public is crucial. I must say, however, I am quite amazed how mainstream the term “vegan” has become, hearing it on TV nearly every time I turn it on, which is becoming a decreasing phenomenon. When the term is used, it is with far less snickering and with more respect than ever. I am confident that Why Vegan is a large part of this.
BB, 8/4/04

A couple months back I handed out Why Vegan and Try Vegetarian brochures at my college and got a pretty good response. I find that young people are more open than older people. So, the other day I was in the cafeteria waiting for my veggie burger, when I saw a kid walk up and was looking at the back of a package of a pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich (horrors!) and I decided to talk to him. Turns out that he just went vegan a week earlier because of a pamphlet that his friend gave to him. It was one of mine!
JG, Wharton, NJ, 8/4/04

Vegan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering of farmed animals by promoting informed, ethical eating. All donations are tax-deductible. Vegan Outreach POB 30865, Tucson, AZ 85751-0865