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Gatekeeping is the activity during which someone takes it upon themselves to decide who does or does not have access or rights to an identity and its goods.

Like the time when a guy said watching Star Wars movies and liking them does not make you a Star Wars fan.

But instead of telling you about this phenomenon, we decided to show you more examples of it.

After doing a bit of research, we landed on a subreddit of the same name (r/gatekeeping) and quickly realized that probably all communities have their "guardians."

This time, however, we'll focus on vegans. Not because we have something against them or anything. It's just that their gatekeepers are as funny as they are popular on Reddit.

#1

Because Heaven Forbid Non-Vegans Eat Vegan Foods

Because Heaven Forbid Non-Vegans Eat Vegan Foods

ajd011394 Report

#2

Apparently I'm Not A Vegan, Even Though I Don't Buy Animal Products. There Are Toxic People In Every Community

Apparently I'm Not A Vegan, Even Though I Don't Buy Animal Products. There Are Toxic People In Every Community

khaoskxnd Report

But even if we disregard, let's call them, extreme vegans such as the ones we see in the pictures, many people are still wary of this community. To understand them a little better, let's look at the situation from their perspective.

"The caution around our dietary requirements is arguably warranted," Dejan Jotanovic wrote in The Guardian. "Many assert that veganism just isn’t an option to a large chunk of the population. The labour and cost of sifting through nutritional requirements, alongside inflated pricing for plant-based meat alternatives, is often too great."

Jotanovic also raised the issue of food accessibility. "Many live in areas – popularly termed 'food deserts' – where access to fresh produce or even supermarkets is difficult. Meat, dairy and other animal products are also staples to a variety of cultural and religious groups. In Australia, for example, our overtly masculine and sunburnt culture has a real appetite for red meat, namely beef, as per the annual promotional campaigns. The intersections of class, race, culture and veganism makes for a recipe that’s pretty damn hard to swallow."

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#3

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

wood_jablomi69 Report

#4

Eat Dairy? You're A Misogynist

Eat Dairy? You're A Misogynist

Fxlyre Report

#5

The Orator Of All Vegetarians

The Orator Of All Vegetarians

Blazing_Sadness Report

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Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before I became vegetarian, I hated self-righteous vegetarians who criticized my choices. So I've never done that to other people.

Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before I became a vegetarian, I had vegetarian friends who never, ever, criticized my choice to eat meat. So I don't criticize others now.

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chloe would have been slaughtered anyways, as the farmers want to make a living. I am sad, though, at the amount of meat that goes wasted. It's a dishonor to the animal's sacrifice. Seriously.

Tracy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no! You don't consider them vegetarian? Whatever will they do without your approval?!

Ellis Tamura
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They will wither up and die! Life is empty without *Blurred name's* approval!

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Reading-under-Sequoias🫶🇺🇦
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I would eat the meat because the animal is already dead. Not eating it won't bring it back. It would just waste food.

Michelle C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would she be happier if we played an "In Memoriam" vid during the barbeque?

Gaby Almodovar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact, I would search for my name, like with those Coca Cola bottles a few years ago.

J
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is the joke here that people's individualism expands into the existence of other beings? When someone decides to have 12 children, it certainly reduces my 1 child's chance of sustaining life and happiness. When people make a habit of eating animals larger than themselves, it has - effects. For the animal, the planet and themselves. We agree not to smoke indoors. We should agree not to eat meat. We are too many people, and the alternatives to the suffering are great.

madbakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those of you saying that the cow is already dead so why not eat it-- I've been vegetarian or vegan for over half my life, and it's about the long haul. If there's less demand, there will be eventually less animals slaughtered. I do not want to contribute now or in the future to the slaughter.

Nikole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, that was a shitty response. How can someone see that and think, "Yum!"?

JLBigboote
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can, but I'm also a human, who has evolved to eat meat as well as plants.

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Chloe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing as my name is Chloe...I feel incredibly bad but then again, food chain. Im Not vegan, but not bothered by it and will and even try to help get food for my vegan friend. (Don't know why I needed to mention that)

anna keller
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bruh the grill is too much we're all just trying to save the environment

Crep 105
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think it matters what you consider to be a vegetarian, especially with gatekeeping like this.

Craig Reynolds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You may have wanted to live but you didn't. If no one buys you, then you 100% died for nothing...

DylJohBar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Incredibly ignorant and backwards response from the 'vegetarian'.

Lace Neil
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about putting a label on cashew based fake cheese "my name is Anna. I am 12 years old and I pick cashews so my family can eat. The cashews burn my hands and I work all day without a break."

EJN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone is mixing up politics and dietary lifestyles. I prefer to keep it simple and apart.

Ava Ford
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eating meat and all that stuff is fine to me. Personally if humans were put on farms and eaten I wouldn't care as long as they were treated well when alive. Just don't waste meat. Not like a bite or two but like a whole plate or something

Danielle Schaefer-singleton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diet choice. Way of living. Religion.Beliefs. NOT THE SAME S#IT . Good LORD ppl. You should EDUCATE usbon ur 'belief' of ur way of life, & UR Choices ,.Not CRITICIZE OTHERS. LET' S Change the word Vegan to-* Christian- Jehovah* - abortion * . DO YOU SEE IT NOW?! Good for you ..I'll bring the potato salad. I am NOT a FAN of meat.I don't eat red meat ,pork, I eat chicken, shellfish..etc.I'M NOT A VEGETARIAN but I'm allowed to not like something ! I cant kill a bug in my house, I cant STAND the thought of fishing or HUNTING UNLESS ITS FOR FOOD. Although I COULD NEVER eat anything I saw living..seems thats how the oceans, the animals, the cavemen and dinosaurs survived.... maybe its the ICU nurse in me. I see "flesh, smell blood, smell death... I dunno. But seriously. If someone likes country music, that doesn't make them a cowboy.

jennifer kerkow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People should choose to not eat meat due to it's environmental impacts. putting emotional pressure on people won't help, specially because a lot of people don't really care. What you should care about is your meat habit helping to kill the planet.

Marissa Taylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo should we tell the lions tigers and wolbes there sunners or....

Jane Jane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cattle would be extinct in a year if everyone became vegan. UNLESS... the vegans are willing to raise them in their city apartments? Mind blown just thinking about that.

bakkysak2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the best comment on this post is the one where the guy said he would look for the one with his name on it.

Don't Look
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the cow is dead. I'm not going to waste cow meat. Some vegetarians and vegans are a special kind of moronic. Maybe they need to eat more meat. Yup. I went there.

L.a. Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She didn't say was going to eat the meat she said she would throw a. Barbecue. I understand where she's coming from. I don't like people telling me what to do either. Give my meat a name. I don't care. How can you proffess to know what the cow wanted?

Lady Goldberry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If a cow typed that sticker I would totally buy the whole cow. Not to eat it, but because I'd have a cow which could type.

Marco Hub-Dub
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Animal welfare a factor for vegetarianism is a false premise. The most cruel and torturous acts against “livestock” are with dairy cows and egg hens. Both of which are what separates vegetarianism from veganism. And these cows and chickens are routinely and continually tortured as opposed to animals raised primarily for meat. I see no issue eating any way one wants, it let’s not kid ourselves into thinking that limiting our animal consumption to dairy and eggs is any healthier or in any way at all more humane to animals.

Sophie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

welll trowing it away would be like wasting the cows life...remind me of this story: https://www.boredpanda.com/parent-makes-vegetarian-son-deal-with-rotting-meat/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting that you never, ever hear vegans discussing the plight of the undocumented workers picking their vegetables and fruit.

Lottie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ITS ALREADY FRICKIN DEAD, WE CANNOT JUST LEAVE FOOD AND EXPECT THAT TO MAKE IT ALIVE AGAIN

Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, because a random user of a social network knows your life better than you.

l m
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep..becasue to let the meat go to waste would mean Chloe had died needlessly

ShadowStalker36
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chloe looks delicious, and she's already no longer alive, so why not

Got Myself 4 Dwarves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if we don’t eat Chloe she died for nothing, her purpose was wasted - although I always though we mostly ate the boys and kept the girls for dairy/making more cows ? So maybe it’s kurt

Ayasuma
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there a vegetarian application with a 100 question survey and if you score less than a 98% you are not considered a vegetarian??? Question 82: did you cry during Bambi? If you answer no you automatically fail and you are not a vegetarian.

Liz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's already dead though?? like if I don't buy it someone else will, why does it matter

Marianne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chloe never had a chance to live. If people didn't want her meat, she would never have been born.

Pat Bond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Scotch Fillet steak"? I'm assuming it has Johnny Walker in it, rather than being of Scottish origin.

APL
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do these people really I think I don't know steak comes from cows?

Miss Kat O
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly don't think people think enough about where meat really comes from, and really I think if people feel uncomfortable about the picture on the pack they maybe should question their choices...

Eb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd have thought vegans would be against anthropomorphising animals by giving them human names and speech.

Phoenix Tarr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A vegetarian doesn't have to be afraid of meat. My friends eat meat all the time around me and idc

Nathaniel Nganga
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you cant be vegaterian if you throw a barbeqeu for people in the neibhorhood

Helderder
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://opentextbc.ca/conceptsofbiologyopenstax/chapter/fungi/ more background on why fungi are closer to animals then to plants.

Helderder
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Humor is not for everyone unfortunately. Maybe she lost her sense of it because she's a vegetarian XD

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However, Jotanovic argues that most people find vegans annoying because "it's one of the only social justice causes whose point of entry is entirely negotiated by real, quantifiable, fundamental behavior change."

"Everyone thinks of themselves as a good person. But it's much easier to slap 'Feminist as F**k' on your T-shirt and #BlackLivesMatter in your Twitter bio than it is to actively support animal welfare and the climate through an upheaval of your current lifestyle."

#6

Vegan Gatekeeping

Vegan Gatekeeping

SirBallBag Report

#7

Apparently You Have To Be A Vegan To Post About An Animal Rescue

Apparently You Have To Be A Vegan To Post About An Animal Rescue

Pappy_Smith Report

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#8

Hypocrites vs. Real Vegans

Hypocrites vs. Real Vegans

hoopsilly Report

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#9

Vegan Gatekeeping

Vegan Gatekeeping

J_S_M_K Report

However, Jotanovic understands that vegans are constantly splashing around in their own hypocrisy too.

"What we need to do instead is look internally and reconsider what it means to care," he said. "I can, for example, say that I care about labour exploitation around the world, but it's obviously not bountiful enough considering my current purchasing habits. Saying that we care for absolutely everything – because we want to be deemed as fundamentally good – just isn’t sustainable or done with any real integrity."

#10

Ok So Called Vegan

Ok So Called Vegan

limeyptwo Report

#11

Faker Than The Fake Tofu Meat They Make

Faker Than The Fake Tofu Meat They Make

thatspicyb0i Report

#12

Non Vegans Cant Make Salads

Non Vegans Cant Make Salads

theRealOminogi Report

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#13

Only Vegans Are Allowed To Care About The Environment

Only Vegans Are Allowed To Care About The Environment

Markonikoff Report

Regardless of their diet, most people recognize that factory farming is a moral problem. Nearly 70% of Americans have "some discomfort with the way animals are used in the food industry."

Things is, many simply believe that going vegetarian or vegan is too demanding — and too annoying — to be sustainable.

#14

My Sister Is Eating My Vegan Ice Cream... But She's Not Vegan?

My Sister Is Eating My Vegan Ice Cream... But She's Not Vegan?

fieryblowhog Report

#15

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

reddit.com Report

#16

These People Give Vegans A Bad Rep

These People Give Vegans A Bad Rep

spoondadude Report

#17

Vegan Gatekeeping

Vegan Gatekeeping

trinitymonkey Report

Subconsciously, people don't hate vegans. In a 2017 study, for instance, researchers tracked the meal purchases of over 300 people at a Stanford University cafe who were asked to fill out a survey while waiting in line.

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Some patrons were told that a fixed minority of Americans reduce their meat consumption. Others were told that these people represent an increasing trend in those avoiding meat. Patrons in the second group were almost twice as likely to order vegetarian meals when they reached the cashier.

#18

Only Vegans Have Sweet Smelling Private Parts!

Only Vegans Have Sweet Smelling Private Parts!

reddit.com Report

#19

You Can't Care Unless You Are Vegan

You Can't Care Unless You Are Vegan

MasterFriendly Report

#20

Ohhhhhh Peta

Ohhhhhh Peta

meh-_-21 Report

#21

If You’re Vegan For Reasons Other Than The Animals I Have News For You... You’re Not Vegan Sorry Bud

If You’re Vegan For Reasons Other Than The Animals I Have News For You... You’re Not Vegan Sorry Bud

_-Andrey-_ Report

Durably reducing your own consumption of animal products offers “social proof” of its viability. It demonstrates to those around you that a plant-based diet is consistent with being healthy and enjoying the food on your plate.

#22

Til Vegans Have Their Own Language And "Namaste" Is A Part Of It

Til Vegans Have Their Own Language And "Namaste" Is A Part Of It

Bake-Man Report

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#23

More Vegan Gatekeeping

More Vegan Gatekeeping

dannyburke03 Report

#24

Apparently You Can’t Be Vegan If You Believe Domestic Abuse Exists

Apparently You Can’t Be Vegan If You Believe Domestic Abuse Exists

reddit.com Report

#25

You Can't Help The Environment If You Aren't Vegan Silly!

You Can't Help The Environment If You Aren't Vegan Silly!

RunForRuin Report

But social influence can quickly stagnate if people start behaving just like we see in these pictures. Moral superiority not only turns us off, but it also makes us defensive.

Studies have shown that negative attitudes toward vegetarians, for example, stem from anticipated moral reproach. In other words, we care so deeply about seeing ourselves as morally just that a mere whiff of virtue signaling or grandstanding puts our guard up.

#26

Gatekeeping Veganism

Gatekeeping Veganism

CaesarInAFreezer Report

#27

Peta Gatekeeps How Vegans Should Play Animal Crossing

Peta Gatekeeps How Vegans Should Play Animal Crossing

iridescentsilence Report

#28

You’re Not Vegan Until You’ve Done It 7 Years

You’re Not Vegan Until You’ve Done It 7 Years

jmaverick1 Report

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#29

Only Vegans Or Vegetarians Can Feel Bad When An Animal Dies In A Movie

Only Vegans Or Vegetarians Can Feel Bad When An Animal Dies In A Movie

fixthemods Report

#30

Only Vegans Know The Secret Uses Of Ripe Bananas

Only Vegans Know The Secret Uses Of Ripe Bananas

badgia Report

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#31

Only Vegans Are Allowed To Rescue Animals

Only Vegans Are Allowed To Rescue Animals

deenem4 Report

#32

So People Can’t Praise For Gender Equality If They Aren’t Vegan?

So People Can’t Praise For Gender Equality If They Aren’t Vegan?

MadiDamico Report

#33

Vegans Owned This Shape First!!!

Vegans Owned This Shape First!!!

kyjlm2 Report

#34

You Cannot Care About Living Things If You Eat Meat

You Cannot Care About Living Things If You Eat Meat

fu*flame Report

#35

A Real Vegan Would Never Buy Ice Cream For A Child

A Real Vegan Would Never Buy Ice Cream For A Child

dalehp Report

#36

Vegan Gatekeeping Is A Special Kind Of Annoying

Vegan Gatekeeping Is A Special Kind Of Annoying

randerson52613 Report

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#37

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

Gatekeeping Being Vegan

Peaches-B**ches Report

#38

Apparently You're Not A Real Vegan If You Have Any Non-Vegan Friends

Apparently You're Not A Real Vegan If You Have Any Non-Vegan Friends

Woodsy_Walker Report

#39

Spirituality Is For Vegans Only

Spirituality Is For Vegans Only

meghanerd Report

#40

Sorry, You Can't Love Milk

Sorry, You Can't Love Milk

Ok_Implement Report

#41

You're Not Even Truly A Vegan Until You've Been Vegan For Ten Years

You're Not Even Truly A Vegan Until You've Been Vegan For Ten Years

burdizthewurd Report

#42

Apparently You Can Only Care About The Amazon As A Vegetarian

Apparently You Can Only Care About The Amazon As A Vegetarian

De1taTaco Report

#43

Just Your Local Vegan

Just Your Local Vegan

papabless1866 Report

#44

Even Thinking About It Means You're Not Vegan

Even Thinking About It Means You're Not Vegan

Spareuser2 Report

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#45

Meat Eater Can't Be As Good As Vegans I Guess

Meat Eater Can't Be As Good As Vegans I Guess

HeliumO Report

#46

Gatekeeping Vegans Who Want To Eat Imitation Meat

Gatekeeping Vegans Who Want To Eat Imitation Meat

iaamjosh Report

#47

A Comment On A Post Of Billie Eilish Talking About Veganism

A Comment On A Post Of Billie Eilish Talking About Veganism

UndeadBlaze_LVT Report

#48

If You Are Vegetarian Or Vegan, You Sure As Hell Better Have A Vegetable Garden!!

If You Are Vegetarian Or Vegan, You Sure As Hell Better Have A Vegetable Garden!!

palletonyourfloor Report

#49

Only Vegans Can Care About Climate Change

Only Vegans Can Care About Climate Change

AvianLawman Report

#50

Only Vegans Can Love Animals

Only Vegans Can Love Animals

reddit.com Report

#51

Even Vegans Aren’t Safe From Vegan Gatekeeping

Even Vegans Aren’t Safe From Vegan Gatekeeping

Aliciyar Report

#52

You Can’t Be A Feminist And Not Vegan

You Can’t Be A Feminist And Not Vegan

ItsMadelynn Report

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#53

And You Call Yourself A Vegan, Filthy Honey Eater

And You Call Yourself A Vegan, Filthy Honey Eater

Damn_Amazon Report

#54

Only Vegans Can Find Soulmates

Only Vegans Can Find Soulmates

lilithmoon1979 Report

#55

Because Their Is No Other Way To Care About The Earth Unless You’re Vegan

Because Their Is No Other Way To Care About The Earth Unless You’re Vegan

ces-oero Report

#56

This Is Why Vegans Get A Bad Rep

This Is Why Vegans Get A Bad Rep

Sirshrum Report

#57

Because There's Only 1 Reason Someone Would Be Vegan

Because There's Only 1 Reason Someone Would Be Vegan

Patriarch_FH Report

#58

Yet Another Vegan Saying The Rest Can Care About The Amazon. Apparently You Can’t Do Any Good For The Planet Unless You Don’t Eat Any Animal Products Anymore

Yet Another Vegan Saying The Rest Can Care About The Amazon. Apparently You Can’t Do Any Good For The Planet Unless You Don’t Eat Any Animal Products Anymore

DamonHay Report