The Gay Vegans: Be Yourself

By Dan Hanley

Be yourself! There is so much going on in our communities.

With everything going on, it seems many have lost a sense of how to communicate or debate without completely demonizing whoever they disagree with. This is a huge bummer for me, as someone who is always trying to engage with others and to encourage our readers to be a part of the debate. Please remember through all of this, no matter what, to be yourself.

Yes, there are those who will attack you and in some cases even get ugly. Even people you are in relationship with might get a little pissy. We cannot remain silent. And it’s pretty simple to express ourselves without being judgmental or unkind to others. Also, there is no shortage of opportunities to speak out against something that horrifies and speak up for something that we wholeheartedly support.

Turn to politics. It’s vital that we are involved and if we remain silent people who do not value what we value could get elected. Get involved.

With veganism and animal rights there are opinions all over the place as to what that means. If you don’t think promoting cage free eggs or humane meat helps animals who are suffering right now, then say something. If you’ve made a vegan recipe that blew your mind, share it. Support a group that fights for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to speak out for what you believe in. There are so many voices out there, and a lot of noise, so make sure yours is part of that!

Be yourself. Wear a t-shirt that promotes your beliefs. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Promote a link on your social media. Make a donation to a non-profit that matches your values.

The most important thing to me personally is that when you do all of this, do it with kindness, compassion and love. Remember that, especially when expressing your opinions on animal rights and animal cruelty, that you may be the only voice that a suffering animal has. There are times when disrupting and being loud are necessary, but when expressing yourself to people you know and during your day to day life, kindness prevails.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Vote

By Dan Hanley

Nothing new from this blogger. An elections looms in the near future and I am taking to my blog to ask you to vote.

Regardless where you live in the US, there are important issues on the ballot. Whether you decide to vote for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump or another candidate for President, there are dozens of other candidates in other races whose outcomes will affect your life and our lives.

The US Senate could be taken by the Democrats. No difference you say? Perhaps. Yet with all things being equal and if there is no difference I would still prefer that the US Senate be controlled by Democrats.

Although there is no talk about the Democrats taking over the US House, imagine the craziness that would ensue if they did?

From university regents to local school boards and city contests, our votes can rock the world. A bit naive? Maybe. I truly believe that whatever your fight is, engaging with the candidates that will represent you in whatever forum will help your fight. I’ve experienced this myself.

Please vote, and vote all of the way down the ballot. If you are unfamiliar with candidates, check them out. Same with referendums.

I work daily for a safer, better world for all living beings. I work to support the voiceless and to by an ally or comrade to those fighting fights I agree with. Certainly there is a candidate in every race where my views match higher than the other, even if just a pinch.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Pick An Action, Any Action

By Dan Hanley

Now is not a time to sit on the sidelines. With so much going on in the world, it’s time to act. Many who read this blog are already engaged in some type of activism and action, and I am grateful to be immersed in community with you. For those in our communities who have thought about doing something but aren’t quite there, now is the time to pick an action, any action.

Aleppo.

The Dakota Pipeline.

A crazy election.

Poverty.

Local injustice.

The list is endless. I believe we all have the power to make our world a safer, better place for all. We all have passions and many of us are in a position to make change. Action can be attending a local protest or even creating one of your own. It can be a letter to the editor. It can be an article that explains an issue that is important to you shared on your Facebook page. Things we have done recently include a vegan potluck to introduce delicious vegan food to friends and neighbors who are not vegan as well as using our social media to put a spotlight on what is happening in North Dakota. We also made a donation to a group we love that is doing incredible work in Los Angeles. None of these are big actions, and we think each has made a difference.

One person can make a huge difference.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Shout out to Toronto Pig Save

By Dan Hanley

The videos always strike me. Animals headed for slaughter in a truck are seen exhausted, overheated, with big eyes. Some show fear, others enjoy a drop of water or a loving scratch. Within hours all of the pigs will be slaughtered and on their way to becoming bacon.

I’m very grateful to those with Toronto Pig Save, whom I learned about on Instagram, for what they do. Actions of not only compassion but of being a voice for sentient beings on their way to slaughter.

This week, their co-founder, Anita Krajnc, went to court after being charged with criminal mischief for giving condemned pigs water. Apparently it is legal in Canada to deny animals headed to slaughter food and water for 36 hours.

Anita’s trial started this past week. The best report I could find about the trial is here. I am unsure of the result. Nonetheless, please check out Toronto Pig Save and support them in any way you can. That could mean spreading the word of their work all the way to making a donation to support what they do.

Compassion. That’s what this is all about for me.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Be Yourself!

By Dan Hanley

There is so much going on in our communities.

With everything going on, it seems many have lost a sense of how to communicate or debate without completely demonizing whoever they disagree with. This is a huge bummer for me, as someone who is always trying to engage with others and to encourage our readers to be a part of the debate. Please remember through all of this, no matter what, to be yourself.

Yes, there are those who will attack you and in some cases even get ugly. Even people you are in relationship with might get a little pissy. We cannot remain silent. And it’s pretty simple to express ourselves without being judgmental or unkind to others. Also, there is no shortage of opportunities to speak out against something that horrifies and speak up for something that we wholeheartedly support.

Turn to politics. It’s vital that we are involved and if we remain silent people who do not value what we value could get elected. Get involved.

With veganism and animal rights there are opinions all over the place as to what that means. If you don’t think promoting cage free eggs or humane meat helps animals who are suffering right now, then say something. If you’ve made a vegan recipe that blew your mind, share it. Support a group that fights for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to speak out for what you believe in. There are so many voices out there, and a lot of noise, so make sure yours is part of that!

Be yourself. Wear a t-shirt that promotes your beliefs. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Promote a link on your social media. Make a donation to a non-profit that matches your values.

The most important thing to me personally is that when you do all of this, do it with kindness, compassion and love. Remember that, especially when expressing your opinions on animal rights and animal cruelty, that you may be the only voice that a suffering animal has. There are times when disrupting and being loud are necessary, but when expressing yourself to people you know and during your day to day life, kindness prevails.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Favorite Denver Eateries

By Dan Hanley

If you are visiting Denver or live here and want to try out places we love, here you go! These are places that we frequent with friends, family or our favorite, date nights! They all meet our personal standards of having amazing vegan food, great service, and they honor us as a couple. No real order, except that the first few are our favorites.

The Gay Vegans: Don't Redefine Vegan

By Dan Hanley

I recently read something from an animal activist that struck me, and have been thinking about it a lot since then.

They were referring to someone questioning a well-known person’s veganism, saying that the person said they eat fish. The activists response, in supporting the person calling themselves vegan, was that people have different definitions of veganism.

For me, there is just one definition of veganism: consume no animal products. That covers it for me. Yes, it also includes for me not wearing animal products, and really trying every day to do the least amount of harm possible to all living beings. Yet at the very basic sense of the word it means not consuming animals or their by-products.

I think when people who consume animals, their by-products, and/or fish call themselves vegan, not only are they wrong, they confuse people about what veganism is, and what being a vegan is. There is no need for this, as folks who consume animal by-products but not flesh can simply call themselves vegetarian.

No judgement here. Just clarity. I don’t want the term vegan to be used when the person is not vegan. No matter who they are. It does no good for anyone, especially the animals suffering that we are trying to help.

I am vegan for the animals. I am vegan because I do not want to be part of the cruelty that animals go through to become food. I am vegan because I firmly believe that animals do not want to die to become a meal for us.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans - Terrible Days. Thinking of Self Care.

By Dan Hanley

There is so much going on in our country, let alone the world, right now that I wanted to write a few lines from vacation to send love.

For activists on the front lines, it can be especially difficult. It’s so important to practice self care, whatever that looks like for you.

For me, it means having honest conversations about what I am feeling with those in my inner circle. I don’t mean Facebook posts or tweets. I mean getting together with those I love and trust and having a conversation. I also make sure I keep Mike posted on where I am at, and what I am feeling. He is of course my main person in my inner circle.

I also try to be even more kind to everyone I interact with. We are on vacation so folks on the beach, the serve last night where we dined, and the person behind me waiting for coffee. I don’t know any of these people and it was important for me to be kind, just saying a friendly hello.

I have also been reaching out to those I care about who I know are hurting. Just a simple “I love you and I care about you.”

Finally, breathing, meditating, yoga and working out are all part of my self care.

I can be a stronger voice for the voiceless when I am practicing self care.

By the way, the photo is overlooking my favorite beach, Torrey Pines State Beach. I have spent many hours here the last few days.

Thank you for reading.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.
 

The Gay Vegans: Be Yourself!

By Dan Hanley

There is so much going on in our communities.

With everything going on, it seems many have lost a sense of how to communicate or debate without completely demonizing whoever they disagree with. This is a huge bummer for me, as someone who is always trying to engage with others and to encourage our readers to be a part of the debate. Please remember through all of this, no matter what, to be yourself.

Yes, there are those who will attack you and in some cases even get ugly. Even people you are in relationship with might get a little pissy. We cannot remain silent. And it’s pretty simple to express ourselves without being judgmental or unkind to others. Also, there is no shortage of opportunities to speak out against something that horrifies and speak up for something that we wholeheartedly support.

Turn to politics. It’s vital that we are involved and if we remain silent people who do not value what we value could get elected. Get involved.

With veganism and animal rights there are opinions all over the place as to what that means. If you don’t think promoting cage free eggs or humane meat helps animals who are suffering right now, then say something. If you’ve made a vegan recipe that blew your mind, share it. Support a group that fights for what you believe in and don’t be afraid to speak out for what you believe in. There are so many voices out there, and a lot of noise, so make sure yours is part of that!

Be yourself. Wear a t-shirt that promotes your beliefs. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Promote a link on your social media. Make a donation to a non-profit that matches your values.

The most important thing to me personally is that when you do all of this, do it with kindness, compassion and love. Remember that, especially when expressing your opinions on animal rights and animal cruelty, that you may be the only voice that a suffering animal has. There are times when disrupting and being loud are necessary, but when expressing yourself to people you know and during your day to day life, kindness prevails.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: The war against Bangladeshi bloggers

By Dan Hanley

With Bangladesh in the news due to the horrific terrorist attack, I wanted to take a moment to write about the terrorist campaign against bloggers in Bangladesh.

Rajib Haider, Nazimuddin Samad and Abhijit Roy are just three of many bloggers, including gay rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy, who have been murdered just in the last couple of years. Manna and Tonoy were just murdered this past May. Roy advocated for free expression in Bangladesh and wrote against government censorship and imprisonment of atheist bloggers. As a blogger, it’s important to me to support bloggers everywhere, especially those who don’t live in privilege like I do, a privilege that includes physical safety while being able to write what I write. Yes, the gay bashing occurs, the religious extremists that are responsible for the killing of bloggers in Bangladesh are present everywhere, from every religion. I often get anti-gay notes on social media, and I have never feared for my life while reading them.

I would be grateful if you took a minute to learn about these amazing, courageous people who continued to write blog posts knowing they were in danger. All while living in a country where even government leaders do not speak against their deaths, yet speak against the writings that caused the murders! Statements against bloggers have come because they are atheist, gay, or are writing about thoughts contrary to what good religious Muslims should be reading in Bangladesh.

Protests occur, like the one pictured in my blog cover. And then another murder occurs. Then international news crews descend on Dhaka, the capital city, when terrorists slaughter people enjoying an evening out.

Although one day I will write more about this, it’s difficult now to take the time needed in finding out how many bloggers, journalists and activists have been murdered around the world just in the last month. Let alone how many are in jail and being tortured.

Meanwhile, this blogger will continue to try to be a voice for those whose voice was savagely and brutally taken, and to freely write about issues important to me and those in my communities.

Here’s to bloggers everywhere. Whether writing about food or justice or liberation.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Suga Lived

By Dan Hanley

Our sweet Suga passed away yesterday morning. She was 14, and 11 of those years she spent with us.



Mike remembers the day we adopted her like it was yesterday. We were cleaning cages and walking dogs at the Max Fund in Denver and he met Suga. She had been returned three times, each time with some horrid excuse. We would learn soon enough what the truth was. Mike told me that Suga spoke to him. What was I to say, except that if we can also bring home Juliette the Great Dane to foster then I was in.

And so our adventure with Suga began. We learned that she was not potty trained, and that she would only pee on grass. That was tough where we lived, on the side of a mountain in brush and woods. Mike walked and walked her one day until she finally peed, on someone’s lawn! That was the trick.

We both fell immediately in love with her. I remember getting Suga and Juliette out of my car one day after taking them for a hike and before I could get them in the gate Suga looked at Juliette and I said to her “no”, knowing she wanted to take off down the long driveway. She sprinted away, Juliette looked at me and I said “no”, to which she responded by galloping down the driveway to follow Suga. I was right behind them and a couple of minutes, out of breath, caught up to them. Only because they had stopped to sniff.

Suga was, and still is in my heart, the definition of pure love and light. She filled us with love and she gave love to anyone she met.

As a non-profit fundraiser, I have worked for some amazing non-profits. The two where Suga visited the most were a small HIV/AIDS agency, Boulder County AIDS Project, and an agency that serve youth experiencing homelessness, Urban Peak.

I remember Suga loving the BCAP house and running down the stairs from my office to the lobby to greet whoever was coming in the door. She sat on the lap of many a client and visitor and gave her endless love. Imagine coming in to see your case manager or to get an HIV test and having Suga sit on your lap while you wait.



She continued all of this when I arrived at Urban Peak. She loved going to Urban Peak. The young people experiencing homelessness served there adored her and the staff spoiled her. By the end of the day she would be exhausted.

Suga brought joy to us every day. Our lives became so much better because of her. Whether it was a road trip or just a trip to the market, laying on the couch and watching her paw to ask us to keep petting her or just relaxing with her, every second was just perfect. She taught me so much above love, life, family and home.

As far as we could tell she loved California. By the time we moved it was almost a year since she had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. We knew the day would come, sooner than anything we ever wanted, and did everything we could to keep her heart going. She was on several medications and was doing pretty well. She had episodes, but always bounced back.

Until yesterday.

Today coming home from work I remembered that she would not be throwing her head back while barking to greet me from her perch on the couch. Her perch that gave her a view of her kingdom. She would always greet us as if she hadn’t seen us for days.

In the end, enveloped by me and Mike, she just couldn’t keep on. She was highly stressed trying to just breathe. And so we said goodbye. I sang to her, one of many little songs I would sing to her… “Suga Muga of my dreams…”

Many of you reading this have gone through this same, awful loss. Home is not the same. Coming home can be terrible. One second you can be smiling and the next sobbing. We are crushed and heart-broken. We miss her. The feeling of loss is strong. Knowing she is not just in the next room is terrifying.

The loss is still very new and yet in the midst of the grief I think we both feel a sense of gratitude. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to know Suga and to have her as part of my life for 11 years. She changed me and helped this broken guy, this guy with a lot of baggage, become even more comfortable with expressing love and to continue to learn about love and compassion.

Thanks for reading.

The Gay Vegans: Taking Action

By Dan Hanley

I have always thought that if something bothers me, I need to take action to change it.

This thought pattern is up front and center every day while I drive around Los Angeles. Yes, I'm paying attention to the political race, the state-sponsored bigotry in states like Mississippi and North Carolina, racism, the hungry and the homeless and the huge amount of kids living in poverty in the US to name a few.

Yet one thing that I come across constantly and feel like I do have the power to change is the vast amount of litter throughout LA. No matter where I drive, I see it.

Not that big of a deal? Maybe not. Some would say there is nothing I can do, that in a county where there are close to 11 million people, there is going to be litter.

To accept this would mean that I would need to think that most people who live here don't give a shit. They don't give a shit about litter that makes an area look terrible and litter that has an affect on the environment and wildlife.

From my favorite beach to hiking trails, entrances to the highway and along the street in whichever part of the city I might be driving in, litter is everywhere.

As I think of this and of everything else there is going on in the world, I think of little victories. What does a little victory around litter look like? Maybe seeing the flowers on the side of the road instead of litter. We are in southern California after all where there is an abundance of natural beauty. Maybe it's watching the dolphins of of Zuma beach knowing that the bag of litter we cleaned up that morning was not going to make it into the ocean. By the way, the Algalita Foundation here in SoCal estimates that 80% of marine debris comes from human activities on land! Maybe it's being at the on ramp cleaning up litter just to show others that, like them, there are people who give a shit about where they live.

I see myself making a trip to Home Depot for garbage bags and gloves. Nothing ever changes if we don't take action.

As I create a plan on what I can do to clean up LA, remember that there is metaphorical litter everywhere. From you state legislature to city hall to those who torture animals and spread hate among humans, there is enough of that type of garbage out there to keep us all busy.

Take action.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: 1 in 5 children in LA County live in poverty

By Dan Hanley

This is a series of several blog posts I am writing regarding poverty.

There is no where better to start than right here where we live.

When we moved to Los Angeles in July of 2015 I took my time looking for a job and in August landed the perfect one. My past job in Denver was fundraising for an agency that serves youth experiencing homelessness and this new one is fundraising for an agency that serves neglected and abused children in the LA County foster care system.

I immediately jumped into learning about the children my new agency serves and the numbers are stark. One word that came up right away was the word poverty.

1 in 5 children in LA County live in poverty. This number blows my mind. No matter what type of activism you are involved with, this crazy poverty rate affects you. From hunger to homelessness to violence to liberation and economic inequality, it's even more difficult to find even a small success when poverty, and in many cases extreme poverty, is part of the problem.

Welcome to this journey into exploring poverty. I'd be thrilled if you joined me.  What is the child/poverty rate where you live? What does poverty look like within your activism? How does poverty affect how we engage around veganism, liberation, animal rights and politics?

Thank you for reading. And thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for all living beings.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Bigotry is Alive and Well

By Dan Hanley
 
Indiana.

Georgia.

North Carolina.

The bigots in power are coming for us. By the way, I'm sure I'm missing some states.

A huge breathe of relief swept the country when the US Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage. We celebrated. I cried.

The bigots also took a breathe and got to work creating plans on how they could continue battling us, mainly in the name of religious liberty and safety.

If you offend by religious beliefs, I don't need to do business with you.

Because I am worried about my five year old daughter, a trans woman should not be able to use a restroom labeled for women.

These are the arguments, and bigotry is the reason. Plain, simple bigotry.

In South Dakota the governor actually vetoed the anti-trans bathroom bill. The governor in Georgia has not signed their anti-gay bill yet, and I am happy that dozens of business have criticized the bill and even my beloved The Waling Dead cast will leave Georgia if the bill is signed.

I love the support. But can we get in front of this? Are there enough of us who believe that these bills are ludicrous to ensure they are voted down? If we as communities voted in droves would less bigots come to power, even in states that are filled with bigots like Georgia and North Carolina?

Dan is going back to voting, you're thinking. Yes I am.

We have the power. We have the power to crush bigotry. We have to act.

Please speak out. Please register to vote and vote. Please email your state representative if they are considering voting for a bigoted bill.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: The slaughter of Yellowstone bison

By Dan Hanley

My trips to Yellowstone have been magical.
In 2005 we did our honeymoon there, an incredible back-country trip along the Yellowstone River. That trip, and every other trip we have made, we have always seen bison. No matter how many times I have seen bison, it still always takes my breath away.
Even though I live in Los Angeles now, I try to stay abreast of things that were important to me while living in Colorado, and the work that the Buffalo Field Campaign does in Wyoming and Montana is one of those things.
Please read this press release, from this week. As I write of often in my blog, we have the power to make change when we use our power. In this case, it is speaking out for these majestic creatures who have no voice. It can be a simple email or phone call or even just letting people know about what is happening.
To take action click here.
Thanks for reading. And here is the press release:

YELLOWSTONE BEGINS BISON CAPTURE
After Hundreds Killed in Boundary Hunt, Park Service Captures 150 Wild Bison for Slaughter

For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2016

Contacts:
Stephany Seay, Buffalo Field Campaign, 406-646-0071 / bfc-media@wildrockies.org
Mike Mease, Buffalo Field Campaign, 406-646-0071 / mease@wildrockies.org
Yellowstone National Park - Park rangers have begun capturing wild bison in the Stephens Creek trap within Yellowstone National Park. Since February 20, approximately 150 of America’s last wild buffalo have been trapped. According to park officials, all are destined for slaughter. "Yellowstone's slaughter of wild bison is as lacking in scientific reason as it is in public support," said Buffalo Field Campaign's Stephany Seay. 

The Park Service claims that they are reducing the wild bison population due to the threat of brucellosis, a livestock disease originally brought to North America by Eurasian cattle. There has never been a documented case of wild bison transmitting brucellosis to livestock. Elk, who also carry brucellosis and have transmitted the disease to livestock numerous times in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, are free to migrate from Yellowstone and are managed by hunting based on sustainable populations in available habitat in Montana.

BFC habitat coordinator Darrell Geist says the state of Montana and Yellowstone National Park refuse to manage wild buffalo like wild elk, an alternative that would put the government out of the buffalo capture for slaughter business. "Montana is blessed with an abundance of public lands but cursed by a statute that stands in the way of managing migratory buffalo as a wildlife species," said Geist. “Few people know that MCA 81-2-120 is almost entirely funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to back Department of Livestock management of wild buffalo. Without American taxpayer funding, Montana and Yellowstone National Park would have to changes their ways."

Yellowstone and the other Interagency Bison Management Plan partners have stated that they want up to 900 wild bison killed this year. Over four-hundred have already been killed by hunters. The agencies aim to kill hundreds of wild bison every year until they drive the population — now estimated at 4,400 — down to just 3,000 animals. This population target is a result of livestock industry pressure to address unfounded brucellosis fears, and Yellowstone’s false premise that there are “surplus” wild bison. 

BFC executive director Dan Brister questions the faulty science that Yellowstone and IBMP partners are operating under. "There is no such thing as 'surplus' wild bison," said BFC executive director Dan Brister, "Yellowstone's target population cap of 3,000 animals is nothing more than a politically derived number that has nothing to do with carrying capacity." 

Yellowstone's capture for slaughter operations adversely impact the wild population’s natural immunity to introduced diseases, including brucellosis, and increases the risk of more virulent and persistent strains arising in the wild population. Cumulative impacts of management actions pose a significant threat to the viability of wild buffalo remaining in Yellowstone.

Under the voluntarily agreed to Interagency Bison Management Plan, Yellowstone National Park and the other IBMP agencies continue to operate under faulty assumptions and outdated information, in contravention of the agency’s mandate to use the best available science to inform decision makers and the public.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Expo West and the Natural Foods industry

By Dan Hanley

It has been eight years since I was last at Expo West and my has the world changed. I will write more about this incredible trade show, and wanted to pass along what I experienced just yesterday while walking amongst the hundreds of booths promoting every natural food product one could imagine.

I decided to come to Expo West to learn about the newest amazing vegan food offerings and to start a long-term process of finding out how companies in this industry, an industry that Mike and I financially support every day, are in welcoming transgender people to work for them. More specifically, I want to see if companies have gender identity and/or gender expression in the non-discrimination policies.

For those of you who are vegan or love vegan food, I can tell you that your food choice world is expanding even more than what I had thought prior to coming to Expo West. Companies like Daiya, Gardein, Tofurky, Miyoko's, Nada Moo, Bull Dog, Follow Your Heart and Vega blew my mind (and taste buds) with new products. Although many of these products won't land until later this summer or fall, I guarantee you you will not be disappointed.

There were several booths where I literally camped out for several minutes while continually "tasting" their new product. The same one I had just tried. They were that good. Of course after five tastes of the new Gardein breakfast pocket I decided that I should really move on. And yes, I will be back today!

From chickpea snacks to vegan caramels to juices and nutritional drinks, I continually walked away from booths with a huge smile on my face.

I also had dozens of conversations with companies about non-discrimination policies and will write more in-depth on those later. I will say that when you gather so many companies there are an equal amount of opinions and human resource-relayed policies. I will also say that wearing a press badge that has "The Gay Vegans" on it helped me many times in remembering that I live in a world that, even in a professional setting like a trade show, anti-gay bigotry and discomfort towards gay people exists.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Some of our (LA) favorite things!

By Dan Hanley

Since I created The Gay Vegans blog I have written a post at the end of the year to promote people, places and things that have really turned me on during the past year. It's always been a blast, and this year feels even more fun as it is our first December in southern California.
Remember that as a blogger I promote items that we love and do not accept items to try or to blog about.
Here we go!
VeganEgg
This product surprised both of us. We typically try new vegan products but seldom think that we have tried something that we absolutely love. VeganEgg by Follow Your Heart blew our socks off.
Sun Cafe
Our new adventure living in Los Angeles has introduced us to many incredible places that serve tasty vegan food. Sun Cafe was an old favorite from when we would visit LA. Now we have been to their new spot in Studio City and experienced true hospitality with a serving of delish vegan food. We love Sun Cafe.
Zuma Beach
Our favorite beach, hands down. Worth the further drive to Malibu and a staple for our weekends and days off.
Veggie Grill
Vegan fast food. All over southern California including Pasadena, the one we frequent. Will do a restaurant review soon.
Avocado toast
Thanks to the Vegan Mos, this has become a staple in our home. I use vegan butter, avocado, nooch, pepper and paprika. Delish.
Griffith Park
Incredible park just north of downtown LA. Tons of hiking with incredible views, and you can even hike to the Hollywood sign!
Los Angeles
What a city. And an area. Seven months here and we love it. If you are ever going to come for a visit and need recommendations, let us know!

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission. 

The Gay Vegans: Turning 50

By Dan Hanley

If you don't die, you'll get to age 50.
I'm a few hours away and feel like I have a good chance of making it.

I feel awesome. And grateful. I hoped that I could say that I feel healthier than ever, but I have fallen off the ladder with exercise and I definitely notice it.

Don't get me wrong, I feel really good. I'm eating well and I think that all in all I'm doing great.

They say 50 is the new 30. Not sure about that. What I am sure about is that I will continue to take each day as a gift, continue to spend as much time as possible being a voice for the voiceless and work to make the world a little safer for all living beings. I will get serious about exercise again.

For my 50th birthday I decided to raise money for Urban Peak, a rock-star non-profit in Denver that serves youth experience homelessness, over 2,000 of them a year. Their staff is filled with compassionate and passionate people who give their all in service of others. I was hoping to raise $1,000 and as of today am at $2,465! So awesome.

I'd like to say thank you to all of you who have supported this blog, which has become a highlight of my activism and work towards liberation. Those who read my blog have become an awesome part of my life, and I am grateful.

Together we can do so much for so many.

If you would like to know more about Urban Peak, click here.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of this blog community.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Becoming a Better Activist

By Dan Hanley

There is a lot of yelling.

There is a lot of anger.

I see it all of the time.

I don't know how to be the most effective activist. I have learned a couple of things that have helped, and I'll share those. The bottom line for me is constantly looking within to make sure I am being a strong voice for the voiceless.

First, it helps if I know what I am talking about and not just jump on a bandwagon. I have gotten better at this especially since I started blogging. It is so important to blog about facts and when engaging in activism, to be factual. It can be easy to get caught up in some piece of "news" on Twitter or Facebook, and I've learned to investigate before sharing.

Next, I have to focus. Yes, I want to make the world a better and safer place for all living beings. I can't be all things to all movements. I try to focus on what I am most passionate about and go from there. This doesn't mean I can't participate in an action alert or a protest. It simply means to stay focused, to keep my eye on the prize.

Honor my primary relationships. So important for me. I am fortunate to have an amazing husband, a man who loves me and who I am in love with completely. I have to remember this when involved in activism. Home life is super important to me and creating and keeping peace and love at home has to always come first.

Donate smartly. In the past several years we have chosen a couple organizations that we make larger donations to. We still donate randomly when we see something that seems urgent but we still try to keep focused on making a couple bigger donations rather than a bunch of smaller ones. Note to those asking for money: remember to thank those who give you their hard-earned money.

Kindness. I write about this a lot. Activism gets crazy. With so much bigotry, white supremacy, racism, animal cruelty and violence in the our communities it's easy to get pissed off. It can be easy to blow off anyone who doesn't agree with me. I have found that this doesn't help, nor am I as strong of a voice for the voiceless that I can be . It doesn't hurt to be kind. An example is a fundraiser I went to in LA. I went to support an activist group. I left feeling like most of those present didn't really want anyone outside of their circle present. Very little interaction or welcoming. At a fundraiser.

Remember that all of these are very personal to me and how I have experienced activism over the past 30 years. I hope one of these helps you to also become a better activist.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Another Post About Voting

By Dan Hanley
 
One theme clear in many of my blog posts is to encourage activists of every kind to engage in politics and to vote.

This is just as important as it every has been.

With primaries and caucuses getting close, each one of us has an opportunity to create change in our own way, to voice our opinion and to be the voice of those who do not have a voice.

Please vote.

Please caucus.

Wear one of your favorite activist t-shirts that promote a cause near and dear to you.

Bring a friend.

There is so much going on in our world and I believe that the more of us who actually give a shit participate and vote, we have a good chance of making things better.

Just a pipe dream? I don't think so.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.