Showing posts with label The Gay Vegans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Gay Vegans. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

The Gay Vegans: Getting Politically Active

By Dan Hanley

With the 2019 election results coming out of Virginia, good news for me as the Democrats took control of the state senate and state house, I remembered living there back in my Navy days and post Navy days, also the period of time I started becoming politically active.

I have been consistently registered to vote wherever I have lived since I was 18. And I haven’t missed an election, even when deployed.

Being politically active is more important than ever. Every day I hear elected congress people spew permission for our president and name call anyone who might have an opposing thought to the president. Our power comes in our vote and in speaking out against electeds we disagree with. I often use hashtags #vote and #votethemout when on social media, and me voting is the first step. It doesn’t end there though.

Consistently speaking out against those complicit is part of being politically active for me. Watching any news program or reading any online news, I see what those complicit are saying. I want to add to their narrative, so they know and others paying attention realize that there is so much more to the story than those complicit allowing the president to do and say whatever he wishes.

Join your local political group. Attend a protest. Plan a protest. Donate to a favorite candidate or two. Run for a local office. Write a letter to the editor. There are so many actions we can take.

We do not have the luxury to wait this one out or to decide to do nothing.

Thanks for reading.

Monday, July 15, 2019

The Gay Vegans: Helping At The Border

By Dan Hanley

There is a crisis at our southern border. A human crisis.

I have gone from sad to outraged, and at times felt super helpless. In the couple of years that I have been following what is happening to people trying to seek asylum down at our border, I have learned of several groups working to support immigrants. Many are doing wonderful work, and there are two that we have decided to financially support: Al Otro Lado and RAICES.

I know there is a lot going on in the world and there is no shortage of great nonprofits helping to make the world a better place. We have donated, and will donate again, to these two groups because they make immediate impact on those suffering in detention camps at the border.

Immediate impact. Some of the funds we donate go specifically to a bond fund, meaning an asylum-seeker currently detained, and has the permission to enter the country while awaiting a hearing, needs to pay a bond to leave. (Note from Al Otro Lado: We’d also add that a clients ability to pay bond can literally mean life or death. Because of folks donating to our bond fund we were able to get out a severely disabled and sick asylum seeking client out of detention. Medical neglect in detention is rampant!) This could be up to $8,000! Our donations are pooled with others to pay bonds and get people out of the detention camps. Right now.

Consider a donation. Any amount helps.

Thanks for reading.

Monday, May 20, 2019

The Gay Vegans: We Love Women and We Vote

By Dan Hanley

I can’t say that I am surprised with the news from Georgia and Alabama. I’m not. Straight, white, male bigots in office who want power over women. The new laws have nothing to do with abortion or some supposed love of life.

I am outraged. And sad for the many women these laws affect, both directly and indirectly.

The purpose of this post is to stand up for women and to ask once again for people to vote. To vote, to speak out, to write letters and emails. We cannot idly sit by. We haven’t been able to for some time, and things keep getting worse.

Take an action today.

There is a lot online about boycotts, and those tend to hurt communities that are with us. Polling I have read shows that there is not a majority of support for these bills in either state. The problem is not with those who live in these states, it’s with those in political power in these states.

Take an action today.

Support women.

And please realize that this is just the beginning. These politicians aren’t going anywhere (unless more of us vote) and they are not changing their minds. They want Roe v Wade overturned, and many of them believe doing this at the state level gets them to the Supreme Court.

Take an action today. This is not a drill.

Friday, May 10, 2019

The Gay Vegans: In loving memory – Rachel Held Evans

By Dan Hanley

I want to write so much more about Rachel and my path of faith (and Mike’s). I find myself unable to do that at this time.

I did want to make sure I at least wrote a quick post that honors Rachel. I want to say thank you to Rachel. Rachel did so much for so many, and for me it was her decision to not be a part of the spiritual genocide against gay people (and all those who identify as LGBTQ) and in fact fight against it. God is so much bigger than bigotry and hatred, than disgust of “the other”. The love of God and of Jesus is fully inclusive. Everyone is invited to the table. Through her I learned to be able to show love to those who consider me an abomination. No small task.

There is much more. I am forever grateful.

Monday, April 1, 2019

The Gay Vegans: A Note to Restaurant Owners

By Dan Hanley

Well, to be honest up front, this is more than a note.

Mike and I eat out often. We have our favorites and also check out new places to us often. I have have had so many “not good” experiences in the last several months that I decided it was time to write about them.

I won’t share which restaurants I have had experiences in. I’ll also add that we typically only go to restaurants where we think we can get a delish vegan meal.

First I’d like to offer a kind word of advice to restaurants that have no interest in serving vegan options or bringing in people who want a delish vegan dish. I guess this is more of a request. If you fall into this category, no judgement, simply let people know. That would be sweet. Then we don’t waste our time, and you and your staff don’t get irritated. I honestly don’t care if you think vegans are difficult to cook for or that you love beef. I’m there to have a delish vegan meal. I didn’t come into your restaurant to cause a ruckus or debate food with you. There are many ways to communicate to people that you don’t serve vegan dishes. Save us all the time. Thank you.

Now to restaurants that do want to serve delish vegan food and welcome people who want this type of food.

If you’re not an all-vegan spot, please label dishes that are vegan or can be made vegan. This is super helpful.

Please put as much time in creating delish vegan meals as you do other meals. We love amazing food. And serving crappy vegan food is not good for veganism (or for you).

Please teach your staff about veganism. Getting an “I’m not sure” when asking about whether a dish is vegan or not leads me to believe that the person serving me my meal is unsure of what they are serving me, which doesn’t bring a high level of confidence.

Please keep your unused tables clean. My expectation isn’t that a table is cleaned immediately after a customer leaves, which is different from walking into a place where more than half of the empty tables are dirty. The cleanliness deal also refers to your restrooms. If your restroom is dirty it makes me think that your kitchen might be dirty and then I question whether to stay or not.

When I write about restaurants I look at delish vegan options and hospitality. The way your staff treats people matters. Kindness is super easy. Guests asking about ingredients only want to make sure they’re not consuming anything they don’t wish to consume. A kind, friendly server is a huge deal.

I hope this short list is helpful. A couple of delish vegan options on your menu can certainly change your business plan and bring so many more people in. I am frequently going out to eat with a group of people and I am the only vegan, yet the restaurant is chosen based on what has options for me. That ten top in the back with one vegan could certainly help on a slow Monday night.

Thank you for reading.

Thursday, January 3, 2019

The Gay Vegans: One Day

By Dan Hanley

I am super stoked for the new year. Something I have been putting alot of thought into lately is this phrase: Day one or one day? Am I going to start today (taking action on whatever) or keep thinking about it?

This could be about veganism, activism, exercise/health, changing jobs/careers, getting sober, loving others; the list could go on and on. And it puts the focus, at least for me, on the power of one day, not whether or not I am going to do something every day for the next year.

My day one is bigger picture, and will be big in my life. I’m honestly not ready to commit to day one yet, but I am close to that. Another version of my day one was to focus on being healthier. I have already started that.

What about you?

Thursday, December 20, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Go Vegan

By Dan Hanley

So much going on in the world. 


In my personal life, I am super swamped. I’m in the nonprofit fundraising world and December is a crazy (and wonderful) time. It’s also the time I like to share an awesome blog post, one to end the year with. I’m not sure this is that post, but after much thought about what I want to write about, it comes down to veganism. 


Like I started out with, there is a lot going on in the world. I could write about climate change, poverty, homelessness, Yemen, Syria, human rights, the death of my dad, our new dog, my marriage, etc. 


I chose to write about veganism, about going vegan. When I first started this blog, I thought anyone reading it would be vegan. That wasn’t the case then and still is not the case. I think that’s awesome, and I am always honored when someone takes the time to check out The Gay Vegans and maybe even read a post. 


I decided to go vegan almost 23 years ago because I didn’t want to participate anymore in the killing and torture of animals, of living beings who did not want to die. My little part in living a way that matched how I believe: that I abhor cruelty towards animals. In my new thoughts on being vegan, I simply just wanted to live my compassion. 


Going vegan does so much good. You’re not participating in the biggest animal cruelty, you’re leaving less of a footprint environmentally speaking, you’re supporting human rights and you’re doing your body good. I am not an expert in how veganism affects all of this, and I know in my personal journey all of this has been affected in a positive way because I decided to go vegan. 


For some reading this going vegan may be the furthest thing from your mind. Like no way. You may think that you simply love cheese too much, or don’t have the time for such a drastic change in your life. The reality for me was that going vegan was super easy. I kept thinking about the why, and that’s all I needed. And today! Wow, it’s so much easier. So many more options at the grocery story, at restaurants and online. Any question you have is answered on the web. And it’s SO easy to find a vegan community, no matter where you live. 


Here on this site I have a list of links to websites that I think can be super helpful. Check them out. 


More to come. If you’re not vegan, I would be super stoked if you at least started to consider what a vegan you would look like! 


Thanks so much for reading this!

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

The Gay Vegans: The Execution of Jamal Khashoggi

By Dan Hanley

There are many things that have disturbed me in the past couple of years, yet few have risen to the level of outrage as the execution of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the government responses afterwards.

Long before I became an animal rights activist I was a human rights activist. I know how dangerous the world can be for journalists. Even though I did not know him, I’m pretty sure Mr. Khashoggi knew this too. I am also pretty sure he had no idea he would be brutally executed when walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. (He actually said he had no concerns.)

When I first started hearing this story, my initial thoughts were based in past hopes and ignorance. There was no way the Saudi government would do this, and certainly once public and proven, there was no way our government would support it. Of course I was wrong, holding on to past ideals that in this world we live in today no longer exist. This was also a reminder to me that the Saudi government executing someone or committing human rights violations is no surprise. Also, the list is long of Saudi activists who are in jail.

I am heart broken that our government has done nothing to support Mr. Khashoggi, and instead has taken the side of his executioners.

Some say there is nothing we can do. That would be the worst if true. I don’t believe that.

My hope with this quick blog post is that more people will learn of this atrocity and will share my outrage. That we as citizens will speak loudly to those who “represent” us and send a clear message that no, we as a country do not support this execution or the government that ordered it. This execution will not be supported in our name.

If you share my outrage and have a quick second, please let your Congressperson and Senators know. You can reach your Congressperson by calling 202-225-3121, and US senators by calling 202-224-3121. Ask the operator to connect you to their office.

Mr. Khashoggi is survived by his fiance, four children, and many colleagues and friends around the world who adore him.




Tuesday, November 20, 2018

The Gay Vegans: NYC Vegan Cookbook Review

By Dan Hanley

Before I begin I’d like to give those of you new to The Gay Vegans blog a friendly reminder that I am not a professional book reviewer. I hardly ever will review a cookbook, in fact this is only the second one in six years of having my blog. I write this not to lower your expectations for what you are about to read but to put a spotlight on this specific cookbook, one I am ecstatic to still be exploring.

“NYC Vegan” is full of recipes that make me salivate while turning the pages. Before agreeing to support the book’s blog tour, Mike and I had already pre-ordered copies and were super excited when our copy came. We wanted the cookbook because we have been following Michael and Ethan on social media for years, paying special attention to all of the amazing food they would share. Another reason we wanted the cookbook was because Michael and Ethan are two of the most compassionate people we know, and we have been fortunate to have spent a little time with them. We knew their new cookbook would be a great addition to anyone who includes compassion while cooking.

“NYC Vegan” brings me to New York City. It also brings me into the lives of Michael and Ethan, which is awesome. I love the personal notes from them that are scattered throughout the book. With these and the little bit I know about them, I all of a sudden had a list of the recipes I wanted to try.


It won’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me that of all of the recipes in the book I chose the Diner-Style pancakes to try first. I am a pancake guy. Recipes on my list to try next are the Lasagna, the Shepherdless Pie and the Colcannon. I loved reading the Colcannon recipe! I’m Irish and have never heard about it. Reading through the cookbook I learned so many other things, always a treat.


Important factors about a cookbook that I would promote to friends and family include the ingredients (would I already have them in the house and/or are they easy to find) as well the ease of the recipe. Most times I just want to make a meal so it has to be easy, and easy for me means really easy.


The Diner-Style Pancakes in “NYC Vegan” meet both of these factors. We had all of the ingredients and I think most of you will have them. The recipe was easy to follow and I never felt that I was lost or couldn’t understand something. The last thing you want to feel when trying a new recipe is stupid.


Before I knew it, I was handing Mike a plate of pancakes. I added blueberries, which is usual for me and pancakes. They were delicious and I will try their suggested additions of chocolate chips, strawberries or bananas in the weekends to come.


Aside from the recipes, the layout of the book, the photography and the information on culinary New York City all added to why I love this book. “NYC Vegan” provides an escape to the flavors and cuisines of New York City.


I will keep you posted as I try more of the recipes in “NYC Vegan”. If you’re up to try something new and you will take the time to try these amazing recipes, order a copy of “NYC Vegan” and let me know which recipes you try. If you would like to buy a copy of “NYC Vegan” click here:

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

The Gay Vegans: A Healthy Addition - Beets

By Dan Hanley

I have always loved beets.


On my journey to eating more whole foods and to embrace a more healthy lifestyle, during my last grocery outing I bought more fresh veggies than processed food. Don’t get me wrong, I love processed foods. And at 51, I am once again trying to fit them in as a treat and not part of my daily eating ritual.

The fresh veggies I purchased included beets with the greens still attached. I knew beet greens were good, and was reminded of how delicious they are when I cooked them up as a side for dinner. Simple really, just a little oil, salt, pepper and garlic and voila!

With the beets themselves, I cut them up and steamed them and added them to a few dinners during the week. Super easy and in my readings I am learning that beets can do my body good.

Check them out next time you’re in the market. In southern California you can also almost always find then at a local farmers market.

If you have a favorite beet recipe, I would love to know about it!

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Get Politically Active

By Dan Hanley

I wanted to title this “Please get politically active” but decided against that. There is simply too much at stake right now to not get involved.

Tonight I attended our local Democratic club meeting and was so glad to be there. I was pretty drained and had a half dozen other things I could be doing, and decided to attend because I need to get involved. The group was deciding on who to endorse for our local school board election, an election that is super important even though so many don’t pay attention to school boards.

There are many ways to get politically active. First, make sure you are registered to vote and make sure your registration is up to date. Encourage others to do the same. Post about it on social media. Go to candidate debates and information sessions. Ask candidates questions. If they don’t answer your question keep asking. Write a check to an amazing candidate if you can. I assure you there are plenty of amazing candidates running in all sorts of political races this November.

If you are reading this, you are most likely on at least one social media platform. That means there is a good chance that you have seen constant posts against Trump and those who are complicit in supporting him and his administration. What is missing in most of these posts are attacks against policies and the impact of what Trump is doing. While many are posting memes and doctored photos against Trump, there is a long list of reasons why we need to get politically active and fight Trump and those electeds complicit in keeping him in power and his policies alive. Let’s actually do something that supports those complicit in the US House and Senate being voted out.

Thank you for reading.

Monday, October 15, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Comida vegana en Tijuana

By Dan Hanley

Vegan food in Tijuana.

Tijuana (TJ), Mexico is a quick 2 1/2 hour drive from LA. I have come to love Tijuana, for many reasons. I recently spent a couple of days there to drop off donations to some nuns there serving migrant women and children, to speak Spanish and to check out some of the amazing vegan food options there.


A couple of things to know before going from California to Tijuana. First, you need your passport. I also recommend purchasing insurance for the amount of days you’re there, if you’re driving. Bring pesos. Your bank can help or you can get them at the last exit before entering Mexico. Traffic can be crazy, and if it makes you uncomfortable to drive there it’s easy to Uber around or use the local buses. If you want to stay in Tijuana there are a lot of great Airbnb options all over and in the central part of town some nice hotels, like the Lucerna.


Also, activism of all kinds is alive and well in Tijuana. This trip for me was to bring donations to the Centro Madre Assunta, and there are literally dozens of nonprofits doing amazing work for humans, animals and the environment.


Playas de Tijuana is the area of the city along the ocean and the US border. Super relaxed with beaches, a boardwalk and work out spaces along the boardwalk. I love it. While here there are three spots I suggest. Luwak Cafe is on the main boulevard and is a small cafe/coffee shop. And they serve vegan waffles! I love them mainly because of their staff, and vegan waffles help. Head south and you will find The Green House. Mostly sandwiches, tacos and veggie burgers, add smoothies. I tried the tacos and the agua fresca of the day which was lime. Number three is La Veggicheria, right on the boardwalk maybe two blocks south of the border. The view is gorgeous, all ocean. Sitting outside with that view and delish food is pretty perfect. Their burger is pretty popular and I loved their mole.



Alma Verde is a spot I didn’t get a chance to go to but heard good things about. Two locations in Tijuana. I will report back once I go here next trip.


My favorite spot in Tijuana to eat is Mazon Vegano. It’s near the southern part of the Avenue of the Insurgents (Avenida de los Insurgentes) in an inside area of placed food trucks. Their quesadillas were so good! I started with two and had to try a third. Fresh and flavorful, with a great salsa to go along with them. The mind-blowing part of the meal was the blueberry cheesecake, the best cheesecake I have ever had!


You’re probably hungry now. And if you are like many people I tell that I love Tijuana, you might be thinking about safety. I have never felt unsafe in Tijuana. I have heard the stories, and like any city with crowds you want to be careful, and use common sense. Tijuana is a wonderful place, and add in all of the delish food options and you’ll have a great time.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Don't Forget to be Kind

By Dan Hanley

The news is filled with, well you know. Even if you don’t watch the news, in some way the negative stories of what humans are doing to each other will somehow get to your attention. In just a few minutes of being online I have seen white nationalist groups spew their racism and hatred, anti-gay slurs and posts, and quotes from a sexist male. None of this makes us or anyone better. Indeed, in many cases, these actions and quotes are made to separate people and to instill fear.

I have no reason to hate anyone. I have no reason to take my limited time and use it to attack or spew hate. As a blogger and a citizen, I certainly take time to share my opinions and call out those I disagree with, and I don’t need to, or have time to, attack others for anything other than opinions or actions that I take issue with.

I do try to take time to be kind to others. That can take many shapes and forms, and it is super easy. It can be a “good morning”, a wave to move in front of me on the road, a quick email in support of a jailed activist and a call to someone going through a tough time. It can be an action that changes the community I live in or changes the moment for someone.

Please don’t misinterpret what I’m writing. Speak out against the president. Speak out against those complicit in his power. Vote them out. Vote. Run for office. And while you’re doing this, remember that you are a kind person, one who deeply cares about others whether they are your senior next door neighbor or a seven year old girl from El Salvador still separated from her dad.

Thanks for reading.



Wednesday, September 5, 2018

The Gay Vegans: In Loving Memory ...

By Dan Hanley

…of my dad.
It’s been over two weeks since my dad passed away. To me and others it was sudden, even though we knew he had a major health issue.

My dad: second generation Irish immigrant, Detroit born, US Marine, father of four, super serious and super loving, businessman, honorable, super witty, super smart, ethical and most of all, a human being living a hard-core human experience.

My world is not the same. I don’t feel the same. I’ve been home for over a week now and feel very uncomfortable with this new normal. My dad didn’t even live here, nonetheless I feel his loss immensely. Some times the grief and sadness hit me so hard that it’s difficult to even take a breath.

My dad, Jack, was one of my close friends. We spoke often and recently were reading books and discussing them. The one we were currently reading is “Black Detroit” by Herb Boyd. What a great read.


I spent many times in my hammock chatting away with my dad about how beautiful it is here in southern California and listening to him talk about being in San Diego with the Marines and spending a New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles in the late 50’s. He disliked cold and snow, common in his Michigan, and loved hearing all about our adventures with beach, surf and sun.

My dad was such an important part of my world. He loved his family and made sure that I knew he loved me and was proud of me. Mike and I were stoked to have spent some time with him in July, even making it to a delish vegan meal at Green Space Cafe in Ferndale, just outside of Detroit. That day included a trip to the Detroit neighborhood where he grew up.


As much as I knew my dad, I learned so much at his viewing and his funeral. So much love for him, for this man I called dad. People he had worked with before retiring 16 years ago shared stories of working with him and about how much he impacted their lives alongside high school friends who talked of fun and mischief. Listening to all of these stories was wonderful.

We had rough roads, disagreements and opportunities to grow and forgive. All of these added to my love for him.

Nothing I write can do my dad justice. He taught me that what happens to you does not have to make you, that family matters, and that the person we are today does not have to be the person we are tomorrow.

My dad made me better.

I miss him.

Thank you for reading.

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Get Politically Active

By Dan Hanley

I wanted to title this “Please get politically active” but decided against that. There is simply too much at stake right now to not get involved.

Tonight I attended our local Democratic club meeting and was so glad to be there. I was pretty drained and had a half dozen other things I could be doing, and decided to attend because I need to get involved. The group was deciding on who to endorse for our local school board election, an election that is super important even though so many don’t pay attention to school boards.

There are many ways to get politically active. First, make sure you are registered to vote and make sure your registration is up to date. Encourage others to do the same. Post about it on social media. Go to candidate debates and information sessions. Ask candidates questions. If they don’t answer your question keep asking. Write a check to an amazing candidate if you can. I assure you there are plenty of amazing candidates running in all sorts of political races this November.

If you are reading this, you are most likely on at least one social media platform. That means there is a good chance that you have seen constant posts against Trump and those who are complicit in supporting him and his administration. What is missing in most of these posts are attacks against policies and the impact of what Trump is doing. While many are posting memes and doctored photos against Trump, there is a long list of reasons why we need to get politically active and fight Trump and those electeds complicit in keeping him in power and his policies alive. Let’s actually do something that supports those complicit in the US House and Senate being voted out.

Monday, July 23, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Fighting Animal Agriculture

By Dan Hanley

As a vegan who is vegan for the animals, I have disliked the meat and dairy industries for years. And of course there is no love loss from them to me either, as these industries fight hard against any person or organization that might affect their profit.
It all boils down to profit. That has become evident as we see these industries invest in vegan companies. If you enjoy a long list of vegan products in your home, chances are one or more of them comes from a company now owned by a meat, dairy, or pharmaceutical company.

Gasp.

This can be debated back and forth on whether or not this is good for the animals. It definitely doesn’t feel good, but I’ll save the debate for another day (and there are products in this category that we still buy). The point I would like to make here, and one that is not news for many of you but is always a great reminder, is that if you are vegan, you are having an adverse affect on animal agriculture. Please see my last post with more about this. In our recent 4,000+ mile road trip, we saw evidence of this all over the place.

Just by being vegan. If you engage in animal rights activism, plan vegan meetups or simply bring delish vegan treats to the office, you are doing even more. Combined, all of this fights animal agriculture and affects their bottom line. This is what is so important to me these days: doing all I can to ensure their days are numbered.

They are super powerful. They have the backing of the United States government. They have an endless supply of money, lawyers and people who look at animals as product, thus never an issue with animal cruelty. Evidence of this is seen frequently in the news, like this past week when the federal government announced it was cracking down on the term “milk” for plant-based beverages. Are they doing this to protect people, or to enrich the lives of people. No, and yes. Yes to enriching the lives of those who profit in animal agriculture. That’s what this is all about.

And it’s happening because those who profit in animal agriculture are scared. They are watching their industries lose money, and certainly not profit as much as they used to. They are so scared that they are investing in profitable vegan companies, because after all making money is what it is all about for them.

Together we can ensure that they make a little less money, and that fewer animals are killed, tortured and inhumanely treated for a buck.

Thanks for reading.

Monday, June 25, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Challenge Those In Power

By Dan Hanley

I seldom stay out of politics with this blog. With all that is going on in our country, especially on our southern border, I just have to write about it. I don’t need to tell you about what is going on, or who is to blame or who is right and who is wrong, but to remind you that you the reader are not powerless in this situation.
It took me a minute to find my power. I saw the news. And more news. Then I heard the tape. I was angry, and in tears. Then I saw those speaking out for the families at the border get attacked, and attacked. I honestly don’t care if this happened before or if some think that what is happening is OK. I care that, in our name, families are being ripped apart and children are experiencing trauma.


You, especially if you are as sickened by this as I am, have the power to make change.

First, as I often say on social media, I urge you to spend less time attacking President Trump and more time attacking those complicit, the Republicans in Congress. There is an election in November and every seat of the House of Representatives is up for grabs. Do whatever you can to elect someone who is sickened as well and who will not support the President.


Next, donate to RAICES or Al Otro Lado. Both groups are working 24/7 to help families who have been separated.


While others will spend time blaming, finger pointing, saying things like “Obama did this too” or name calling, we must focus on voting those complicit out, continually telling the stories of families torn apart, and speaking out for those families until they are reunited. While bickering and fighting go on, children are experiencing trauma, sometimes hundreds of miles away from their parent. The longer they are separated, the better the chances they may never be reunited.


Vote. Remember the children. Keep asking about them, about where they are and when they will be reunited. There are many who want us to forget and move on. We can’t.


Thank you for reading.

Monday, June 11, 2018

The Gay Vegans: We Are Not Going to be Saved in November

By Dan Hanley

Many of those who are over Donald Trump and the Republican politicians complicit with him and his policies are counting the days to November. Come election day all will be well and the Democrats will take control of the house and senate, along with state governments across the country.

Meanwhile, the Republicans are working on their messaging, solidifying their candidates, and promising their base that they will survive this.

A lot will have to happen in order for them to be wrong. First, we need to have amazing candidates. Second, we need to fund them. And third, we need to vote for them. Super easy, right? Not really.

There is plenty of anti-Trump action going on in any social media platform you look at. It’s easy to post something disagreeing with him or those complicit, calling names or sharing an article. It’s not as easy to get out the vote and to engage with those who might possibly vote Republican in November. Not easy, but possible.

The one reality dose that I hope to bring with this post is that positive results for us in November are a long way from becoming reality. We must vote, and get out the vote.

If you want to wake up on November 7th to something different than what we have today, I urge you to join others who feel the same and take action. Work locally. Find out who is running, up and down the ballot. Donate. Engage. Talk about policy. And please, don’t take anything for granted.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Who Is Your "Them"?

By Dan Hanley

I recently posted a note about a teenager who identified himself as gay dying from suicide. He had left a note that included statements saying he couldn’t handle the hate and abuse any longer.
Words are powerful. Actions are powerful. “Those people.” “Them.”

I also have recently been along the border of Mexico, in Tijuana, trying to help people who have fled their home and are trying to find a safe place in the US. I’m not surprised, but the vile words used towards these people shook me. I was posting some news on Twitter and searched for #caravan and was brought to a world of so much hatred towards people that the ones posting didn’t even know!

“Those people.” “Them.”

I get that people disagree. I get that you might not like Republicans or immigrants or gay people or gun owners. Them. And I believe that we all have more in common than not. I don’t have to demonize you just because I disagree with you.

I disagree with those that vilify and attack immigrants or those wanting to come into the US. I will disagree, and then take action to support immigrants. It’s that easy. Sure, those who attack immigrants will then attack me on social media. I can handle it. Cowards thrive in the anonymous comments of social media.

And while all of this is going on, I have to continue to look in the mirror and make sure I don’t have a “them”. Whether it’s a group of people or an individual, I need to always be sure that my words and actions don’t hurt others.

Thanks for reading.

Monday, April 16, 2018

The Gay Vegans: Speaking Out Against Sexism in Recovery

By Dan Hanley

I have written about being in recovery. The fellowship in recovery saved my life, and adds so much to my life. I want to make this clear as I share that recently I have had to listen to sexist bullshit from men attending meetings. Making sexual comments about women, women there to get sober. This is not new, I just haven’t personally heard it in a while.

I keep thinking about it. I keep thinking about the need to create safe spaces for women. If a woman who is trying to get clean and sober does not feel safe at a meeting where others are gathered for the same reason, well that is simply a fucked up situation. Then I think of others, like people of color and members of the LGBTQ communities, but that’s another post.

Alcoholism and drug addiction kill people. In fact, they are killing more people today than ever. We must ensure everyone coming to a meeting to get clean or sober doesn’t experience harassment. We need to talk about it. We need to call it out.

Yes, this is a rant. If you work the twelve steps and are familiar with the program, rest assured I am working my program around this.

Thanks for reading.

If you think you may be alcoholic and would like help, or to find a meeting, click here.

If you think you may be a drug addict and would like help, or to find a meeting, click here.