The owners of UK vegan BnB Loaf have recently experienced targeted online trolling and hate comments.
Loaf is a bed and breakfast located in Northumberland that lists its selling points as the glorious countryside, nearby coast, lovely rooms, log fires, and of course the fab vegan food.
The comments directed at the owners and vegans in general are hateful and vile.
You can see them below in a series of screengrabs shared here with permission from Loaf co-owner Karen.
As you can see, the comments are not only anti-vegan but also anti-Muslim and homophobic.
All of this because a vegan company shared a photo of vegan food on their own Facebook page.
I asked co-owner Karen if she could share how she felt about the abuse.
This is what she told me:
Sadly this is not uncommon. In the past I have deleted or hidden these sort of comments, almost feeling the shame the writer should have. I think it’s time we all stop dismissing online abuse as ‘just trolling’ and recognise it for what it is. Hate speech. The lowest, most cowardly form of bullying, hidden behind a social media profile. I think it’s time we all start calling people out on this. It shames us all and social media platforms should have a zero tolerance to this sort of behaviour. I also have to question why an ethical choice to do the least harm causes so much anger to some people.
I would like to express my sincere solidarity with Karen and Loaf and offer my support. I implore you to show your support for Loaf by booking with them and following them on social media.
You can visit the Loaf website here to view their rooms and book a stay. You can support independent vegan business AND holiday in beautiful Berwick-upon-Tweed close to the Scottish border.
Please follow Loaf on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
