Friday Forum: Vegans & Relationships
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links
This week's question is one that many of us struggle with - whether you're single and staying that way, dating, in a new relationship, or in an old one where one of you has suddenly gone vegan and the other hasn't.
What's in this post
Life can be complicated and veganism is no exception. We decided to have an open forum on some of the details and challenges that being vegan comes with.
This week’s question is one that many of us struggle with – whether you’re single and staying that way, dating, in a new relationship, or in an old one where one of you has suddenly gone vegan and the other hasn’t.
Here’s what we had to say; we’d love to hear your thoughts (or tips for making it work) in the comments. Let’s create a dialogue that we can all benefit from.
Would you be romantically involved with someone who is not vegan?
I have dated people who ate animals as a vegetarian and it did not bother me, but I doubt that I could say the same as a vegan. As an ethical vegan I would find it difficult to open my heart (and home) to someone who didn’t share the same core beliefs as I do. I don’t know that I’d be able to do it. – KD
My gut says that I couldn’t date someone that doesn’t share my views on this topic… I mean, I breathe-sleep-eat vegan. But I also identify as asexual, so now I’m shrinking the pool of available dates quite a bit. I sometimes joke that I am 1% of the 1%! Nonetheless, I’d rather not be romantically involved with anyone than incompatible in such a core way. – Daria
Been there, done that and made a few converts along the way. That being said, I think it is much easier to connect with someone whom is already vegan. Being compassionate is super duper attractive. – Anya
I was romantically involved with a meat-eater, who even ate fast food and the worst kinds of crap. He is now a more vocal vegan activist than I am, raising a vegan kid and vegan dogs with me…so all’s well that end’s well :) I saw the closeted vegan within him and brought it out! That seems pretty lucky, though. If I was starting to date now, I’m not sure I would make that leap, but I’m so glad I did. – Amy
I can only respond to this question by referring to this post, written by my boyfriend Steve. He told me when we met that he didn’t care what I ate, as long as I didn’t force him to do anything. And I didn’t. I just cooked good veg dishes for him, and we’d go on trips to places like sanctuaries. He changed himself. Anyone can change, if you open yourself up to them and let them make their own decisions. Everyone has it in them. – Allyson
Since I was already married when I became vegan, I automatically was/am romantically involved with a non-vegan. However, I believe in the future if I were single, with my household set up totally vegan, it would be much more difficult to make space for someone new who didn’t at least partially share my views. Veganism is like other devotions that guide our daily choices, and while some couples can make their relationships work even with wildly divergent philosophies and religions, etc., there would be an awful lot of potential conflict points if your partner didn’t share this one. – Linden
Do you have a question or topic you’d like to have answered or discussed? Simply email us.
Related Posts
HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.
Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…
