Coming out is never easy.
People make assumptions based on what they think is “normal”. Not everyone likes the same things, and that’s okay. People shouldn’t be pressured into doing or trying things that don’t feel right to them.
I have a confession to make. It may come as a shock to some, which I appreciate and I will explain. But I hope you will respect me in spite of my “lifestyle choice”. I am a vegetarian.
There, I said it.
In all seriousness, I am a vegetarian, and I have recently been comparing my experience of coming out as a vegetarian and coming out as gay. These are both things I have had to do again, and again, and then again because people weren’t paying attention the first time.
I’m a better gay than I am a vegetarian. I’ve been vegetarian on and off for five years now, and I guess that is where my troubles start. The issue is, I love meat. I really do. I love sausage, I love bacon, I love sausage wrapped in bacon. I like chicken! I like it deep fried, I like it grilled, and I like it covered in gravy. All meat can be improved with gravy.
I rarely have to explain to people why I am gay, because the conversation is usually too uncomfortable, and they know they’ll look stupid at the end of it. Also the reasons are pretty clear, and the list is pretty short.
What has surprised me over the years is the amount of arguments that arise out of my choice not to eat meat. I’ve had a pretty easy experience being gay, but I mention the V word once, and the interrogation starts.
The most common argument being. It’s good for you, it’s natural. For me it has nothing to do with what is natural. Just like putting your bits next to someone else’s bits, it’s all natural. Human endeavour is an extension of nature, so everything we do is “natural”. Sure, maybe we’re meant to eat meat, and if I were a walking zombie I might not have a choice in the matter. But luckily for me (I think) I’m not a walking zombie (I think). Luckily for us we have the capacity for higher thinking and rationalisation.
Interestingly enough I did some research and there are numerous articles dedicated to “How to argue with a vegetarian”. Evidently written by and for people so vehemently dedicated to the defence of their own ego they need a manual on how to do it.
I’m not about to make the argument as to why everyone should be vegetarian. Because that would be boring. In my mind we should already be done with traditional agriculture. Grow my meat in a lab! Grow my vegetables in hydroponic towers! That stuff sounds awesome, and far less detrimental to the planet.
My main reason for not eating meat is that I don’t want to be part of a food chain that kills millions of animals a day, and throws half of it into landfill. I know the arguments, but your opinion is really not relevant to my decision.
Here’s the long and the short of it.
I’m not trying to turn you vegetarian. If you want to try it out, be my guest. Everyone should experiment at some point in their life. But what I stick in my mouth is none of your business. If you feel inconvenienced by having to make a vegetarian option when I come to eat at your house. Here’s the solution.
Don’t invite me. Your cooking isn’t that good anyway.
If you’re struggling with, or don’t understand vegetarianism.