From ‘Coming Out’ to Finding Joy–How My Queer and Vegan Journeys Have Intersected

My queer identity and my veganism have each been a journey involving a lot of twists and turns, reflection, and creating community. For a long time, I considered these two aspects of who I am as wholly separate. Until a workshop with Dr. Sunni Patel made me reflect on how my queerness and veganism intersect. 

When I was 20, I stopped eating meat. Researching global food insecurity, I was appalled that millions of people cannot reliably access sufficient calories to thrive, yet vast amounts of land and resources are exploited to grow crops not to feed those people, but to feed animals who are forced into a system of cruelty and abuse. I refused to take part any longer. 

In my late 20s, I removed all animal products from my life. My work advocating for sustainable, healthy food systems increased my compassion for the animals exploited for dairy, eggs, and household products. They are robbed of their autonomy, treated like machines, and physically manipulated to conform to a system that maximizes profits at all costs. 

In my early 30s, I came out. I have been queer my entire life, of course (unlike deciding that veganism aligns with my values, being queer is an intrinsic part of me). But I finally had the language, courage, role models, and support that enabled me to live publicly as my authentic self, openly challenge norms of gender and sexuality, and stop letting other people tell me who I am or should be. 

Everyone’s journey of queerness or veganism is unique. And yet, as I discovered in Dr. Patel’s workshop in 2022, there is a fascinating (but unexplained) convergence of veganism and queerness. A high percentage of people who are vegan are also LGBTQIA2S+, and vice versa. For example, a Facebook poll in a UK vegan group showed that of the nearly 1,000 vegans who took the poll, 2 out of 3 identified as queer. A few other academics, like Christopher Sebastian and Rasmus R Simonsen, have hit upon this correlation as well, but little is truly understood. 

I could only speculate as to what it is about the queer experience that makes so many of us also drawn to veganism. Ways of eating, food choices, and animals have all been caught up in our social constructions of gender for centuries. But the truth is there is so much diversity within both umbrellas that to make declarative statements as to why so many vegans are also queer would risk falling into oversimplification and stereotypes. 

Instead, here are five ways in which my personal experiences navigating the world as a queer person and a vegan are often shockingly similar! (I reiterate, these reflect only my own experiences. I do not speak for other LGBTQIA2S+ vegans, though I hope many aspects will resonate with others. I also use the term gay, lowercase ‘g’, in its colloquial sense as synonymous with queer not to refer to the specific Gay, uppercase ‘G’, identity within LGBTQIA2S+.) 

Coming out

Rasmus R Simonsen’s A Queer Vegan Manifesto notes that, “Declaring one’s veganism to the world can almost be compared to the act of coming out for queer-identified individuals” [emphasis added]. This rings so true for me. While far more emotional labor and risk went into my first experiences coming out as non-binary/genderqueer, “coming out” as vegan certainly requires strength and energy to put yourself out there, be vulnerable, and potentially endure a litany of questions from others, some of which may be inappropriate or even disrespectful. 

I am continually determining if and how to “out myself” in new contexts and environments. A dinner party invite from a new friend? I’d love to join, just FYI, I’m vegan and happy to bring some dishes if that’s helpful! Bump into a blast from the past who wants to catch up? Oh, what’s new with me? Hmm, not much, just gay! 

Answering the same questions over and over 

Being queer and vegan both involve terms and concepts that may be unfamiliar or outside the norm for many others. There is a great deal of confusion and even misinformation out there. I regularly field questions from friends and strangers alike.  

It’s so often variations on the same questions. “How long have you been vegan/queer?” (over ten years/always!). “What led you to finally go vegan/be out?” (It was what I needed to be healthy and happy). “What’s the difference between vegan and plant-based/non-binary and transgender?” (How much time do you have?). “Where do you get your protein?” (From food just like everyone 😊). “Where do you get your nails done?” (I do them myself 😊). 

Questions can also veer into inappropriate or even harmful territories. This blog is not the right forum to get into that, so I’ll just say this: for me, genuine curiosity with an openness to learn and seek understanding is generally welcome.

Handling haters

I have had my fair share of challenging conversations with people seeking to scrutinize or erase either my queerness or my veganism. And, truthfully, I have found it’s often the same people who are most threatened by both. Queer identities and veganism are deeply rooted in challenging social norms. Just existing with a non-conforming identity can cause people’s own sense of self to feel scrutinized and vulnerable. It can lead people to behave defensively, lash out, and cling to their current worldview.  

Sadly, those in power have strategically used misinformation, derogatory language, and polarizing rhetoric to demonize veganism and queerness to maintain the status quo. The meat and dairy industries have used their massive marketing funds to inundate the public with false messaging that vegans hate farmers, alternative proteins are unhealthy and unsafe, and meat is the only way to get enough protein. That pales in comparison, tragically, to the barrage of conservative attacks on drag shows, transgender athletes, and gender-affirming care. I can’t lie, at times it’s painful and exhausting. 

Gathering in community

Navigating the world as a queer person and vegan both require self-advocacy, self-care, and a supportive community. It means requesting that people use my pronouns, look for a vegan-friendly bar or restaurant, or not use certain language around me (or preferably at all!). I strive to advocate for myself, but it can be a lot. Having spaces and events dedicated to connecting with other queer and vegan people is vital for my health and well-being. I am fortunate to live in Washington, DC where queer-owned venues and queer organized events abound. There are vegan social groups and several great plant-based or veg-friendly restaurants. One group I’m in, calling itself the “DC Vegays,” epitomizes the overlapping phenomenon Dr. Patel and others have highlighted.  

Community is here when I need it. As is a plethora of wholesome queer content (I highly recommend Our Flag Means Death on Max) and vegan chocolate for when I’m seeking comfort. 

Finding the joy

This blog is for Pride Month, and Pride is about celebrating joy. The queer community, even with everything we have faced and continue to face, is where I have witnessed the greatest examples of unbridled joy. In that spirit, here are just a few ways I’ll be looking to celebrate Pride Month with a vegan-forward twist: 

• Making this Vegan Rainbow Cake 

• Finding a 100% plant-based drag brunch 

• Listening to hilarious episodes of Handsome, a podcast created by queer vegan icon Tig Notaro along with fellow queer (non-vegan) comedy legends Fortune Feimster and Mae MartinN 

• Creating new looks with makeup from vegan brands like Thrive and Pacifica 

• Rewatching Schmigadoon!, a campy show parodying famous musicals featuring notable queer vegan Alan Cumming 

I hope you’ll consider joining me in having a gay ol’ plant-based time this Pride Month 😊