My Journey from Clueless Omnivore to Vegan Activist | Diane Gandee Sorbi

Like most people of my generation, I grew up with no awareness or thought about where my food came from. I didn’t recognize the animals on my plate as once-living beings. Those pigs, cows, chickens and turkeys were simply “meat,” which was something I considered a necessary part of my diet. When I was older, I would occasionally meet someone who was a vegetarian. I remember admiring them for what I thought of as the sacrifice they were making for their values and feeling a bit guilty, but I would quickly push it out of my mind. Many years later, I began reading about the horrors of factory farming. I was appalled. I knew I couldn’t continue to eat those animals and consider myself a compassionate person. Unfortunately, I also began reading about so-called “humane” animal products. I convinced myself that those animals lived a long, happy life on a bucolic farm somewhere, and when they were very old, met a quick and painless death. If I purchased “grass-fed,” “cage-free,” and “free-range,” I would be doing a good thing. I now realize I was incredibly naïve and chose to believe what I wanted to believe. Because the truth is, I was more concerned about how eliminating animal products from my life would impact me than I was about the misery I was financing. It was pure selfishness on my part. I didn’t want to become that weird vegan at the party, standing in a corner munching on celery sticks while everyone else was eating the rest of the food. I wanted to be able to eat at a restaurant and order more than a plain salad. As much as I would have insisted otherwise, I really didn’t want to be different. I wanted to fit in and be liked.

Shortly after joining Facebook, a couple of vegans added me as a friend. They would often post articles and videos about the humane myth. As I became more informed, I knew I couldn’t hide from the truth any longer. My choices were causing tremendous suffering to innocent beings. I had to change. I began eliminating animal products from my life and after about four months I was ready to make the switch. The day I became vegan was such a wonderful day! I felt a sense of peace I had never known before. I knew I was making the right choice and would never go back. My only regret was waiting so long. Not long after, I realized I needed to get involved in activism and help spread the vegan message. Though I was a shy person, I challenged myself to do leafleting and paid-per-view video showings. After attending a talk by the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), I decided to get involved with them and focus most of my energy there. I liked their message of disrupting social norms, and while I felt it intimidating at first, I pushed past my comfort zone and learned to do speak-outs. When I found out about open rescue, which is entering facilities where animals are kept, without our faces covered, documenting the conditions and rescuing a few of the animals most in need, I knew I wanted to be involved. Helping with rescue has been very rewarding work, despite the legal risks. Our political system does not favor the interests of animals. Animal-exploiting corporations have deep pockets, and politicians often do their bidding. I was delighted when I learned about the Humane Party, a political party that is working on an abolition amendment that would give animals rights and end their exploitation. The rest of their platform aligned with my values as well. I wanted to volunteer and was grateful when they accepted me as a board member. Countless animals lost their lives because of me in the 55 years it took me to become vegan. I can’t change the past, but for as long as I live I will do everything I can to bring about an end to the use and abuse of animals. I may not be young, but I hope to see animal liberation in my lifetime!                                                                                                                                                                              Editor’s Note: Sadly, Diane passed away in 2020.  Her incredible activism will always be remembered.