The Gay Vegans

One of my favorite tees. Purchased from Action for Animals. http://www.afa-online.org/

Going Vegan (Part III)

If you don’t die and you stay vegan, you eventually end up having spent years of your life being vegan. This has been the case with me. Before I knew it, I had been vegan for 21 years and was about to turn 51.

Veganism has changed, or evolved, quite a bit since my early days of being vegan. And life changes. Two years ago Mike and I moved to the LA area, or the place I call the vegan capital of the world. If you want to blow your mind with vegan options, come to LA. Whether you are grocery shopping, in a vegan restaurant, or trying one of hundreds ethnic cuisine restaurants that offer incredibly tasty vegan dishes.

I am totally fortunate to have so many people who read this blog actually connect with me. I love that! Most do not live in the vegan capital of the world or have vegan options all over the place. Regardless of where you live, you can create a vegan community. It can start with something as simple as a neighborhood potluck where all dishes have to be vegan (or plant-based if that is easier to go with where you live). Mention your veganism on social media, and search for social media outlets in your area that include anything about veganism. Go to your favorite restaurant and ask if they’ll add more or better vegan options, or if they would consider doing a meatless Monday special every Monday.

There is honestly so much going on in regards to veganism. Google vegfest and your state and see what pops up. This might mean you going on a road trip but it could be a blast. If you live where there is a small, local paper, see if you can send in a favorite vegan recipe that might draw others in your area to your new community. Host a potluck. Go to a local run or race and wear your favorite vegan tee. The ideas are endless.

Lastly, be kind to one another. I say this a lot. Everyone is on their own path and that is totally evident in the vegan community.

By the way, the photo is of me in one of my favorite tees. Purchased from Action for Animals.


Thanks for reading!

About Dan Hanley

Gay and vegan in the burbs (of Los Angeles). I blog about veganism, equality, compassion, activism, politics, spirituality, and our awesome life experiences. The "s" includes my husband, Mike! I want this blog to be a tool to build bridges among communities and to inspire people to get involved and vote.

3 comments

  1. Anna says:

    I think vegan capitals are all over the world. Don’t know about LA but when did my research last time the most vegan restaurants were in Berlin of all places. London has great ones too but California is the place where as a newcomer I feel most comfortable about being vegan because there are so many like minded people around me. I live in Idyllwild and just recently opened a vegan bakery and am grateful for people thanking me for starting it. I am the second totally vegan place in the village of 4k permanent residents! This is something very special and no vegan capital of the world could match it! Two vegan restaurants for 4k people! My third favorite place to eat after our two local joints is in Palm Springs – Native Foods. Really worth trying.

    • gayvegan_admin says:

      Hi Anna! Thanks so much for reading my post. We would love to come by your bakery next time we’re out that way. Our friends Mark and Steven just moved to Idyllwild just your vegan population has increased!

  2. Angel Mason says:

    I’m in Chicago and have been vegan for years it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 41 years and it has been hell on my overall health, Chronic pain heart & kidney disease, loss of most of my eyesight going vegan has not reversed any of it but it’s made a massive difference on my health problems not getting worse than they already are. Chicago is a great city to be not just with being vegan but also lesbian though I would love to move to California. Anyone that says being vegan is too hard it’s too hard cook should be ashamed of themselves I can only see a little bit of light in my right eye and i cook. si I ask them what’s there excuse, I never understood how people can say that they love animals and at the same time eat them it blows my mind. One thing I have noticed especially on Facebook are vegans that are no better than meat eaters with how they treat each other, how can someone be kind to animals yet not be kind to each other.

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