I have been vegan for 10 years (and vegetarian for seven years prior to that). I became vegan for the animals as I believe that all animals have a right to live their lives free from fear and intimidation; they are not ours to use.
As a vegan I do not consume any animal products or secretions, nor wear or use any animal products such as leather, silk or wool. I do not use any products that contain animal ingredients or have been tested on animals. In addition I avoid using any products associated with any animal-testing company. I do not engage in any activities that exploit animals. I live this vegan lifestyle and adhere to these rules as much as humanly possible; I do not find it difficult to live like this as these are my values and beliefs; I feel better knowing that I do not actively contribute to animal suffering.
I’m an abolitionist as my ultimate aim and desire is to end the incarceration of all non-human beings. I would like to end all farming of animals. Animals want to be free from incarceration; they do not want bigger cages or more space, only to be killed for human pleasure. Females do not deserve to be forcibly impregnated in order to produce young and have them stolen from them so humans can drink their milk, or for their young to be brought up in the same horrific conditions as their parents. They do not deserve to have chemicals injected into their bodies, put on their skin or in their eyes to try to cure human disease. Animals are not ours to use for pleasure, entertainment or for the vile act of hunting.
I do not understand the disconnect people have with non-human animals; this is a foreign concept to me. Decisions I make in my everyday life are made with consideration for whether that decision would impact negatively any sentient being. This is the way I live my life now, I do not find it inconvenient or difficult and it is part of my normal everyday living.
I am a passionate person who will keep fighting for the rights of all animals, I am their voice and for that reason I will not give up.
Special thanks to Butterflies Katz for including this in her compelling essay collection highlighting diversity amongst vegans:
I’M A VEGAN: One Movement, Many Voices.