In the UK, Jordi Casamitjana won a landmark Employment Tribunal that made ethical veganism a protected belief in Great Britain in 2021. I highly recommend his book Ethical Vegan published by September Publishing. https://jordi-casamitjana.animal-protection-consult.com
You added an excellent link about veganism as a protected status in the UK. Since this happened in 2020, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and many other European nations have followed suit. Almost everything you argue for in your excellent summary here is the case in the majority of Europe.
my partner and i were fortunate enough to honeymoon in scotland in summer 2023, and i didn’t know veganism is protected there. the respect and care our b&b hosts took with us was an incredibly pleasant surprise, and the vast options we had throughout the country added to the joy of a special celebration for us. i tend not to hyperfocus on the human experience of being vegan (unless i’m explaining things to non-vegans), but this would absolutely be a lowered social barrier that we may otherwise underestimate. thanks for sharing this!!
Thanks Michael. As Kim mentions below Jordi Casamitjana was a central figure in winning these rights in the UK. I was lucky enough to interview him for Sentientism here: https://youtu.be/vtCwoq1XnUg?si=QmcwKAKYF-MGbH84
Your article on affording the practice of Veganism legal protection I found highly compelling and meritorious. The truth is, from a strictly rational, logical and moral point of view, Veganism should be the norm, and thus, require no particular legal protection; however, dismayingly, to the detriment of all that lives on this small planet we share, Veganism is the exception and considered by many in a pejorative light as an “extreme” practice. Its flesh-eating zombie detractors are correct that Veganism is indeed thus: it is extremely important that all humans practice Veganism for the sake of planetary health, the wellbeing of our fellow animals (and all life forms), and for our collective health as well.
In truth, there is categorically no compelling reason not to be Vegan, yet in a world where extreme violence has been normalized, the preponderance of people on the planet fail to “understand” (care) why those with highly evolved minds and souls object so vehemently to their inclinations towards and acceptance of mass murder; especially since human beings have such a long history of this dismal practice.
To survive, collectively we must evolve towards Veganism and all paths leading away from violence.
Thank you. You’ve captured the heart of why veganism matters so much. It’s not just a “diet,” but a way to reduce harm and make the world better for everyone. You’re absolutely right: violence has been so normalized that people often don’t question the harm they’re part of, even when there’s no real reason not to change. Veganism isn’t “extreme.” What’s extreme is the way we treat animals, the environment, and even ourselves by clinging to outdated habits.
If we’re going to thrive as a species, we need to evolve toward kindness, sustainability, and compassion. Veganism is a big part of that. Thanks for sharing such an insightful perspective. It’s conversations like these that spark real change. 🌱
In the UK, Jordi Casamitjana won a landmark Employment Tribunal that made ethical veganism a protected belief in Great Britain in 2021. I highly recommend his book Ethical Vegan published by September Publishing. https://jordi-casamitjana.animal-protection-consult.com
You added an excellent link about veganism as a protected status in the UK. Since this happened in 2020, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and many other European nations have followed suit. Almost everything you argue for in your excellent summary here is the case in the majority of Europe.
my partner and i were fortunate enough to honeymoon in scotland in summer 2023, and i didn’t know veganism is protected there. the respect and care our b&b hosts took with us was an incredibly pleasant surprise, and the vast options we had throughout the country added to the joy of a special celebration for us. i tend not to hyperfocus on the human experience of being vegan (unless i’m explaining things to non-vegans), but this would absolutely be a lowered social barrier that we may otherwise underestimate. thanks for sharing this!!
Thanks Michael. As Kim mentions below Jordi Casamitjana was a central figure in winning these rights in the UK. I was lucky enough to interview him for Sentientism here: https://youtu.be/vtCwoq1XnUg?si=QmcwKAKYF-MGbH84
Your article on affording the practice of Veganism legal protection I found highly compelling and meritorious. The truth is, from a strictly rational, logical and moral point of view, Veganism should be the norm, and thus, require no particular legal protection; however, dismayingly, to the detriment of all that lives on this small planet we share, Veganism is the exception and considered by many in a pejorative light as an “extreme” practice. Its flesh-eating zombie detractors are correct that Veganism is indeed thus: it is extremely important that all humans practice Veganism for the sake of planetary health, the wellbeing of our fellow animals (and all life forms), and for our collective health as well.
In truth, there is categorically no compelling reason not to be Vegan, yet in a world where extreme violence has been normalized, the preponderance of people on the planet fail to “understand” (care) why those with highly evolved minds and souls object so vehemently to their inclinations towards and acceptance of mass murder; especially since human beings have such a long history of this dismal practice.
To survive, collectively we must evolve towards Veganism and all paths leading away from violence.
Thank you. You’ve captured the heart of why veganism matters so much. It’s not just a “diet,” but a way to reduce harm and make the world better for everyone. You’re absolutely right: violence has been so normalized that people often don’t question the harm they’re part of, even when there’s no real reason not to change. Veganism isn’t “extreme.” What’s extreme is the way we treat animals, the environment, and even ourselves by clinging to outdated habits.
If we’re going to thrive as a species, we need to evolve toward kindness, sustainability, and compassion. Veganism is a big part of that. Thanks for sharing such an insightful perspective. It’s conversations like these that spark real change. 🌱