We all have them: those stubborn family members or friends that could ‘Never give up cheese’, or insist on including meat in at least two out of their three daily meals. The people that we’ve given up trying to discuss animal welfare with, knowing that whatever points we raise will be swept away by the same hand that reaches for a second helping of meat at Sunday dinner. Frustratingly, we’ll often give up hope of converting those closest to us before we do with anyone else, whether it be because we ‘know what they’re like’, or we simply don’t want to cause an argument at home. But what if, instead of accepting that these loved ones will never give veganism a chance, we remained patient and hopeful?
It was less than a year ago that I wrote about maintaining a romantic relationship with a meat-eater and, while it inevitably came with its own tribulations, it could absolutely be done. This evening, I’ll be returning home to the very same man that I wrote about, except for one substantial difference; he’s now vegan, and hasn’t so much as touched animal products in months.