While I don't have a problem with consuming any kind of meat, I do find it troublesome when women are portrayed as a type of meat. Although exploiting the female body to promote vegetarianism or veganism is nothing new, a recent article in the New York Times highlights the trend. The article discusses a vegan strip club — Casa Diablo — in Oregon that attempts to convert meat-eating males to veganism, as well as a Los Angeles dance group — the Vegan Vixens — that performs at events and trade shows. Both parties are happy to be a part of a growing group of vegans who don't mind showing a little skin. Here's a quick excerpt:
Vegans who use sexuality to promote the cause say it is a good way to convert carnivores.
It's a known fact that sex sells, but I can't help but feel this movement is a step backward. What do you think about it? Is it OK to use sexuality to promote vegetarianism?
Blumarine
Roberto Cavalli
Antica Murrina Veneziana
being a vegetarian, i'm all for getting more people to be the same way but to be honest, i don't know if i'm just not 'getting it' but i don't see how sexuality really ties in to not eating meat - so i think that it's kind of dumb.
1I don't think it's wrong, but I don't understand it. I get the "I'd rather be naked than wear fur" PETA campaigns, but as a vegetarian trying to be vegan i can tell you that I do not walk around naked. Maybe if I did, my boyfriend would go veg?
2I also think its trying to convey a healthy and fit body thats a result of being a vegetatian or vegan
3i think it's a little about trying to convey health and a little bit trying to say vegetarianism is the "sexy, in thing" to do.
4if that is the person they are using to lure me in....ew, girlfriend needs a towel, a steak, and some lessons from benni ninja in posing
5the thought of strippers and porn is FAR less offensive then the harm of innocent animals who are born and bred to die for meat
6and I hate like Paris and Kardashians but you know what if it's to save innocent animals FINE
I've been a vegetarian for almost 13 years now, and I've ALWAYS hated the gimmick of "Hey, look at this sexy naked lady, and oh yeah, stop eating meat." It's sexist and degrading — and it has nothing to do with vegetarianism. I'm all for promoting vegetarianism, but not at the cost of encouraging the objectification of women at the same time.
7I don't like the idea of using sexuality to convert anyone to any cause. Talk to them, discuss your views on your lifestyle and theirs. I think that sexuality is just a trick. I don't like feeling like anyone is trying to pressure me into anything.
8the model looks fine she looks like Matt McCoughnehey's girlfriend
9As a vegetarian I don't get the point of this.
10I think using sexuality to sell anything is pretty cheap and vegetarianism is no exception (and this is coming from someone in advertising).
11I don't like sexuality being used to advertise anything. I think we need to get away from that as a society. This is why Nordstrom sells thongs for 3 year olds. We've made the market for it.
As far as they promoting a healthy lifestyle & body argument - being veg or vegan does NOT equate to good health and a slim body. I know many vegans who are overweight because they still eat too much. I know many veggies who smoke and have horrible health issues.
12The fact that they only objectify women in this type of campaign is answer enough. However, having men do it doesn’t make it any more “tasteful.” It is just not an intelligent approach to selling anything. The decision to be a vegetarian should be an intelligent decision.
13I am a vegetarian and have to say its a little dumb but if it works it works.
14Yes! Esp when its Sophie Monk!
15Whoa whoa whoa, are there really thongs for 3 year olds now???
16As a vegetarian it totally creeps me out...
17i've been a vegetarian for six years, and a few months ago, i switched to eating vegan (i still wear my uggs, etc, but i'm trying to phase out) because dairy and meat completely wreck the human body's chemistry and because it's absolutely needlessly cruel to the animals. and the thing is that the sexual campaigns get people to notice - they are more apt to pay attention, unfortunately, if some girl is showing skin (or chest or butt or whatever). so the fact that it gets people to listen up is great, but it's never been appealing to me. i've never justified my vegetarianism by wanting to be 'sexier', nor do i think guys necessarily find it sexier. most guys i've met think its a turn off that i won't eat a big steak! and plus, there are a lot of uneducated vegetarians and vegans out there who are horribly unhealthy because all they eat are fries and ketchup - sure, it's technically vegan, but it's not nutritious at all and awful for you body. i think PETA really should up the campaigns where they highlight the great parts of a varied and healthy vegetarian/vegan diet so people know exactly what it is (and should be) all about.
18OMG I will never eat meat again. And lips that touch liquor will never touch mine.
19Sexuality is used to promote everything else, so why not? It makes me stop and look at the ad, that's for sure.
20I don't think it works. I'm a vegetarian and I have sex with my boyfriend, and he still eats meat
I really don't get how naked girls would make guys want to go vegetarian...
21i am veg. i get the idea of the peta ads, but i'm on the fence about them.
the strip club in portland is stupid. that guy that opened it tried to open a regular vegan bar but he was a jerk so no one went there. i guess this is his new gimmick. i saw an ad for it recently and was pretty disgusted by the sexism of the ad-"our meat is on the poles." i hope it shuts down soon...
i don't know anything about the vegan vixens but if it is a burlesque, empowering type thing that would be cool...
all that being said, i don't think any of that stuff actually converts people.
22I don't really understand the connection. I've always found it to be strange.
23Um. No.
It makes me not want to buy from the company, because IMO it's innapropriate for the general public, especially children.
I could be wrong, but I think the connection is that being vegetarian is more "natural" (vegetables being of the Earth and all), as is being nude.
Heh heh...if they want this girl to be REALLY natural, they should let her eyebrows grow in fully and wait until there's an inch of hair (at least) on her legs
24I don't think it's right or wrong, merely weird.
25I totally agree with Bella, I'm vegetarian but I don't find this is the right way to promote it!
26Sure, if it works. It would help if they got a healthy model, not someone with juaundice.
27No - I really hate seeing sexuality being used to promote anything. It's inappropriate.
28These campaigns show a lack of imagination and, ultimately, a lack of respect for women. Apple's "Think Different" campaign should be a model for PETA and others, use people who achieved notoriety in their respective fields who also happen to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet. These groups oppose the exploitation of animals, they should also oppose exploitation of people. Tacky.
29I'm a vegetarian/semi-vegan and I don't understand why they use sexuality in their campaigns. I think the reason they are doing it is because they realise that pictures of animals being treated cruelly in farms has shock value but is distasteful. But naked girls is particularly tasteful either. I think it would be best if they concentrated on the new fad for healthy diets to promote the veg lifestyle.
30I think it's degrading and it does nothing to compel me to become a vegetarian/vegan. Although, judging by the model, I'm not exactly their target audience.
31No. I don't think it's necessary.
32Good lord, is it REALLY necessary??
33I think it's just a publicity stunt. Since the concept doesn't make any sense to me, that's the only thing I can come up with.
34I don't mind it. It's actually, in my eyes, effective - I'd rather eat veggies after looking at that girl than eat chicken after looking at the cows promoting Chic-Fil-A, or a chihuahua promoting tacos... something about having a human promoting things humans should eat just makes sense, naked or not. And if the woman is comfortable showing off her body for something she believes in, how can that be perceived as degrading?
35how would looking at somebody's but make you want to give up meat?
just silly?
36I don't think there really is a connection, but it does draw attention. I think the attention is the only point. Does it work? Who knows. I doubt there's been an extensive study (or probably even a brief one), but PETA sure does get a lot of press. It raises their love and hate meters at the same time.
37i dont understand it either!!
but pictures of naked fat people holding burgers might make me go vegetarian
38kiddyind:
39I don't know where you got your information, but I work at Nordstrom and we do not sell thongs in the kids department.
I think it is stupid.
40No, this is just...not a very good idea at all. it seems in bad taste too. i mean, is it really necessary??
41Im all for vegetarianism,I think its healthy but this is not the way to promote it. I think its wrong to promote something so good and pure in such a sleazy way. It degrading to women. They are saying stop abusing animals and start abusing women instead ...I just dont get it.
42i really don't get it. how is looking at some scantily clad wonam going to make someone become a vegetarian or a vegan? looking at a nekked person wouldn't make me eat meat so why would it work the other way?
43As a vegetarian I'm all for more getting into vegetarianism and veganismt but I hate they how they use sexually as for going vegan vegetarian.I don't what how sex ties into vegan or vegetarian diet
44*more people
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