The Gay Vegans: Get Politically Involved

By Dan Hanley

This post will be no surprise to those of you who have read just even a few of my posts over the years.

One cannot pay attention to any news source without getting a big dose of what the President-elect is up to, especially in regards to nominees. My personal thoughts range from wanting to chuckle to thinking that this particular person will never be voted in by the Senate. I will definitely be writing whichever Senator I can to ask them to vote against several folks who have been nominated.

After the US Senate election in Louisiana on December 10th, we will have to deal with what we have: 48, possibly 49 Senators on the Dems side. This means three or two votes will be need from the Republican side to block a nomination.

Not impossible.

Meanwhile, there is work that can be done as elections for 2017 and 2018 start making way.

Congressional redistricting is a state issue. So are a bunch of other things that affect us every day. Positive change can begin in the governorships (map above is of those upcoming races) and state houses. Republicans have done a lot of damage in areas people like me care about because they have had unyielding power in the states.

We will in California where this is not an issue, and we can still help.Our neighbor Nevada will be having a governor’s election. My state of birth Michigan will also be electing a new governor. I will most likely spend time supporting campaigns in those states.

You might be thinking things like “I am too busy for this”, “they are all crooks anyway so it doesn’t matter” and/or “anything I do really won’t make a difference”. I get it. We’re all busy. Some of our lives won’t change with the new President. For me it’s about the lives of those who will be deeply effected with the new administration.

I can certainly make time to support those folks.

There will be awesome candidates to support, at least somewhere.

One person taking action and becoming active does indeed make a difference.

If any of this is of interest to you go ahead and Google “2017 or 2018 “your state” elections”. Or something like that.Find out who is wanting to have power in your state, and then decide whether or not you want to support them or those opposing them. Then get active.

The Gay Vegans: Sometimes I Just Want to Write

By Dan Hanley

Warning: this is more of a personal thought than a newsworthy or action-seeking blog post.

A few months ago I moved The Gay Vegans blog hosting from Blogger to a WordPress site. Now I have control over the whole site and can advertise, sell, do pretty much whatever I want that I couldn’t do while on Blogger. I definitely feel much more independent as a blogger.

Yet after five years on Blogger I got accustomed to the simplicity and ease. I’m having a tough time with WordPress as I have to search for photos large enough for the post and am not able to use photos I take as they are too small.

The process seems to be more cumbersome, and sometimes I just want to write.

I want to write about Aleppo, veganism, animal rights, why I’m vegan, easy actions to take to support the voiceless and make the world a better, safer place. Other times I simply want to write about two married gay guys, married to each other, who live in the suburbs of Los Angeles and work every day to fight injustice and support those who are voiceless, invisible and forgotten.

Other bloggers have told me I will get used to this. Plus I still have so much to learn in regards to WordPress. For example, I wonder if I can use photos I take with my phone and perhaps make them larger on my laptop so they can be the Featured Image of a post? I know I can use them within a post, but they come out too small when I’ve tried to use them for the Featured Image.

Meanwhile, protests continue at Standing Rock, a right-wing woman with no experience in public education has been nominated to be our next head of the Department of Education, and many of us are excited about Torfurky and mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for continuing with me through this new blog process. Most of all, thanks for continually working to be a voice for the voiceless and fighting for the invisible and forgotten.

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

The Gay Vegans: Resistance and Obstruction

By Dan Hanley
There have been enough thoughts expressed about the Presidential election results here in the US. I of course have my own opinions, and while thinking about how I would approach my first blog post since the election I decided to write about what I and we can do today rather than writing about who I wish had voted or had done more. The words that come to me are resistance and obstruction.

I have laughed almost out loud when watching the news or reading articles online which say that some Republicans are telling people to support the will of the people, to support the new President and his new government. I laugh because for the past eight years Republicans have done everything they can to obstruct President Obama, and they have done so without any concern for the country. Now they want us to be quiet and to fall in line.

No thank you.

Before I suggest some action items, I’d like to say that I know some readers voted for Trump/Pence. We may disagree on many things yet I would also add that we have more in common than not. I hope you continue to read my blog and please know that I am always open to having a discussion of our views.

I have written my Congresswoman as well as my state legislatures asking them to obstruct the new President in any way they can. Of course state legislators have less power, yet I want them to know how I feel about all of this. I want them to stand up to the new President, and even more, I want them to stand up against his new cabinet, his Vice President, his government and his policies. I want them to remember who they represent and that there will most likely be many fights to come.

The Republicans will soon have a ton of power. They have had that same power in the recent past. I am much more concerned about this go around than when it last occurred that they had the Presidency, the House and the Senate. First is the US Supreme Court. A conservative court, especially a socially conservative court, could destroy women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Immigration and the environment could also be hugely effected. I am concerned about the environment as most connected to the new President don’t believe in or don’t care about climate change.

Our electeds can do their best to fight and obstruct, and we must do the same. We must take action, and from my viewpoint, we must take non-violent action. I am totally opposed to violence in any form, and will speak out against violence and refuse to allow those using violence to speak in my name. I have already seen violence in the past few days and it sure bums me out. Violence weakens us.

There are many actions we can take now. We can start today. Some of these are actions I have consistently put out there and others are ones I have liked that I’ve read this week:

Speak out against any racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ, anti immigrant, etc. actions that you see. It might not be comfortable, but we must speak out against it. The owner of Walnut Cafe in Boulder, CO spoke out against a diner who had referred to those preparing her meal as “the Mexicans” and the woman who said the cruel words apologized to the staff. We must speak out against these terrible things happening in every community.

Find out who represents who in your state house and in Congress. Communicate with them your opinions on everything that is important to you. For your electeds in Congress, tell them to obstruct President Trumps actions in every way they can.

I am a Democrat. If you are also a Democrat, please write the DNC and tell them that they must clean house. They must become ethical and become an organization for the people, not for other Democrats in power.

Engage with those who might disagree with you. Be kind. If we keep yelling at each other nothing will change. I am certain that many people are open to honest conversation.

Donate to groups that will be fighting this new administration, like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. There are many more of course, but you get what I’m saying.

Love and nurture your communities. We all need this. We are much stronger together and there are many in our communities who are going through a lot right now. Be there for them.

Get out of ourselves. I spent time on skid row in downtown LA on Wednesday. It’s a weekly action for me but this time in particular was huge for me. Being of service to others helps them and you! It’s also how we should be anyway.

When speaking out against Trump, Pence are anyone they end up bringing into their government, use facts and not emotion. Our fight needs facts.

Finally, for now, get to know your electeds and get active politically where you live. It will make a difference come the next election.

Whew. More to come. I have already done most of what I wrote here. I haven’t encountered any person or group being attacked, but I am ready to support if/when that occurs.

This post has ended up being my longest ever. If you made it to the end, thank you. Together we can make sure that our communities stay safe in the next few years and that those things important to us are kept in the spotlight.

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

The Gay Vegans: Vote Them Out

By Dan Hanley 

Vote them out Voting has begun around the country, and Mike and I are excited to go cast our ballots at an early voting station in LA later today.

As the daily news of Clinton vs. Trump makes the headlines, I have also been noticing articles about statements from Republicans in the House and Senate letting us know that they will eviscerate Hillary Clinton with investigations if she wins and that they are considering not filling the empty seat on the Supreme Court even after the election if she wins.

This from a Congress that has done nothing in the last four years. Seriously, nothing.

As a political junky, I look at political websites every morning to see what polls are saying in regards to the Presidential and US Senate races (electoral-vote.com is my first look). It looks like there is a chance that the Democrats could take the Senate. The key states that don’t seem to be solid in one way or another are Nevada, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. I’m not sure what House races look like, and often smile when thinking of the Democrats taking the House.

To be clear, I’m not a fan of every Democrat in US office. What I hope to express here is that I am done with Republicans in power who do nothing to address the issues that seriously affect our country and issues that could make life better for some in our country. Those in power have spent the last several years whining and complaining about the President while doing whatever they can to not accomplish anything.

This can all change. We can vote them out. Yes, we. I mean if we all do whatever we have time to do to support Democratic candidates in the states I listed above, and to share stories of what Republicans in power are saying about post-election governing.

Vote. Spread the word. Engage your fellow activists. Those in current power in the House and Senate do not give a shit about LGBTQ rights, especially trans rights, nor do they care about women’s rights, those living in poverty, homelessness, or the environment (can you say climate change?)

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

The Gay Vegans: My Gay Vegan Road Trip and the Election

By Dan Hanley

I am on vacation traveling around the country visiting family and friends. And eating amazing food wherever I go.

I am traveling alone as Mike can’t take off during the school year. I sure do miss him. This is the longest I have been without him!

Meanwhile, there is an election coming up and I have been able to speak with so many people all over the country about it. As I have written before, please remember that there are many offices aside President that will be decided on in a few weeks. So much power up for grabs, and each of us has a voice. Please vote all of the way down the ballot. No matter where you live, there is plenty of information on upcoming ballot initiatives and those running for office.

I’m currently in Denver and so happy to be back here. I can’t wait to tell you all about my eating adventures here and in Michigan!

We can be the voice for the voiceless and forgotten. No matter where I am, I remember this.

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

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.