There’s a lot to admire when it comes to how people raise awareness about veganism. Marches, campaigns, hard-hitting documentaries, online debates, digital content. It’s all part of the movement.
But me? I’ve always preferred to live loudly, openly, and unapologetically as a vegan while I create celebratory spaces. I like to plan parties and I want as many non-vegans as possible to join me.
Read more below.
When I find myself in non-vegan spaces (like, most of the world) and people offer me food or ask about my choices, I tell them I’m vegan in a friendly, matter-of-fact way. No drama. No moral high ground. I’m just a person making a choice that makes sense for my heart and my mind.
But I like to counter being a vegan in a decidedly non-vegan world by running vegan parties and socials. It feels like an important contribution in our fight for a kinder world. 100% vegan spaces give us a chance to feel celebrated in our compassionate choices, while also allowing non-vegans to party with us and discover what all this plant-based nonsense is about.
I try to create vegan spaces that feel good. Social events, meet-ups, dinners, and fundraisers where the food is vegan and everyone is welcome. Even the non-vegans. If I can get someone to a vegan party, that means they’re plant-based for the night.
And if they leave full, happy, and thinking about how those vegans aren’t such bad people after all, that’s a win in my book. And it might just be the start of their vegan journey.
Being warm and open with non-vegans is one of the best bridges we can build. It doesn’t mean compromising your ethics. It just means recognising that everyone is on their own path. Some of us went vegan years ago. Some are just now starting to explore it. Others will take a bit longer to find their way.
My parties are a fabulous form of vegan outreach. You never know who is watching, who is quietly inspired, or who is heading home to look up a recipe after spending the evening at your all-vegan supper club.
Hardcore activism has its place. We need the voices, the action, the urgent demands. But there’s also something powerful about creating moments where people feel welcome and then celebrated. It can open up hearts and minds in ways we don’t always expect.
So if your version of activism is feeding people delicious food, making space for meaningful chats, or showing what a happy vegan life can look like, don’t let anyone tell you it’s not enough.
It’s more than enough. It’s necessary.
Join me at London Vegan Social each month. Non-vegans are welcome!
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