Volume #2
1: Mission Statement 2-3: Non-monogamy and Personal Identity 4: Mothers Mothers by by Anatha 5: My Body My Choice 6-7: The Sexual Politics of Meat by by Carol J. Adams 8-9: Eating Disorders, Sexual Assault, Rape 10: Reproductive Rights by by Jackie 11: Strange Fruit by by Risa 12: Pro-choice is i s not Anti-Vegan Anti-Vegan by by Hana 13: About Street Harassment by by Kat Phil Cover and Back by by Bec
The Vegan Feminist Action Collective Vancouver presents
#SisterSpeciesSolidarity The personal autonomy of non-human animals is a feminist issue! At the heart of both the oppression of women and the oppression of non-human animals is the issue of bodily autonomy. As women, we are taught from our earliest memories that our bodies are not our own, that our bodies exist solely for everyone but ourselves, that our bodies exist only to be consumed by men. The war to sustain our right to personal autonomy and ability to make our own choices with our reproductive systems and our bodies is still waging. Like ours, non-human bodies are not seen as their own. Like ours, non-human bodies are made into commodities to be used and consumed. Like ours, non-human reproductive systems are exploited and controlled. Like ous, non-human bodies are objectied and controlled by those who wish to see themselves as evolutionarily superior. As vegan feminists, we believe that bodily autonomy is intersectional and the root of all oppression is the same. If we, as feminists, wish to liberate ourselves from the oppressive powers that seek to rob us of our bodily autonomy, we must also ght for the bodily autonomy of other species. The same ideology that leads humans to justify robbing other species of their bodily autonomy is the same justication that is used to rob us of ours.
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As children, most human individuals raised as girls are taught two things: to value looks above all else, and one day aim to marry a rich husband. Even more progressive families accidentally instill this into their child’s psyche anytime they play “house”, watch / read fairy tales (most of them, at least), or even represent those stereotypical gender dynamics within the house. These ideals are reinforced every step of the way from childhood to adolescence, even into adulthood. Look at almost all romantic comedies, or rather,, “adult fairy tales”, every commercial, TV sitcoms, magazines; and rather even by just living our daily lives we are bombarded with it. This reinforcement of the nuclear family and female dependence on, and servitude for, for, the “man of the house” is everywhere. What is this teaching us, and how had this affected us all? Aside from the blatant heteronormativity heteronormativity that this conditions us to strive for, for, it also teaches teaches us that ultimately women should aim for one thing: to be possessed. This dates back to the traditional terms of marriage, which involves a contract between the woman’ woman’ss father and her new husband. Although many of us have moved away from this tradition, many things we are taught still keep systems in place that are repressive. Ask anyone what marriage means to them, and almost always what comes up rst is something related to loyalty and monogamy monogamy.. While these may seem like admirable ideals, we need to look deeper deeper.. Who do they benet, who do they hurt, and why is this the only way most see a relationship? Monogamy in many ways prevents individuals from keeping their autonomy and developing as an individual. Also, it reinforces this belief that someone “belongs to” another, therefore further repressing the person’s freedom. “Monogamy is structured in a way that makes it too easy to forget each individual’s autonomy. Before long, a loss of autonomy becomes the rule rather than the exception. Nonmonogamy, on the other hand, seems to hold autonomy up as one of the primary tenets.” - frau sally benz of Feministe on Nonmonogamy and and Feminism. 2
As a queer individual, I spent much of my life challenging and struggling against the societally enforced repression that heteronormativity inicts on society. society. But for a long time I didn’t actively challenge the monogamous aspect of it. I would form monogamous partnerships and feel guilty or shameful when feeling attraction or desires for someone, or something, outside of the relationship. For many years, this part of myself, my autonomy autonomy,, desires, and freedom, were repressed. I was repressing myself in much the same way by the same systems that had repressed my queerness. I eventually realized I was not only hurting myself but also my partner(s) and relationships, by not being fully honest to them and myself. This came to in an evolution into polyamory, polyamory, and a deeper honesty and autonomy in all partnerships. Of course it’s not “perfect” as all relationships take work, but for me it has been a much more honest, respectful and sincere relationship style. How does any of this relate to animals? Look at the fact that captive animals are repressed of any sexual or relationship freedom, and are possessed (owned) by a human who makes all their personal decisions and strips them of even their most basic autonomy. autonomy. Many of these “owners” of farmed or otherwise exploited exploited animals often even say things like “we treat them like family”. And I always hope they don’t mean that literally (in that their family receives similar treatment). Or that they “love” these animals, whom of course are abused and killed. It makes me question everything about the denition of love and that love can in any way relate to that level of control and ownership. With all this in mind, I understand that there do exist happy With happy,, respectful monogamous relationships, where autonomy is of paramount importance. I deeply respect the individuals who live happily, happily, safely, and respectfully in that lifestyle. My main intention is that, just like heterosexuality should not be considered the default for love and relationships, neither should monogamy monogamy.. And also to always question the status quo and the “why” of our actions. Much like we did while making the changes to veganism. Is what I’m doing truly who I am, and does it reect my deepest values, or is it what [society / religion / capitalism] has told me to do? Everyone, human and nonhuman, have the freedom to engage in relationships (or not) in ways that feel true to them, respect their values, and are innately right for that individual. Without shame, without disgust, and w ithout repression. To me, that is love.
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I had no choice but choice but to become an egg producing machine. My body has been manipulated and it just doesn’t stop. I’m tired. I was told I should not have children because I would be a bad mother. I guess I had no choice in choice in the matter, because I had surgery even though I never wanted to. Every year I am impregnated against my will. I long to know my children, but I do not have this choice – choice – they are taken away as soon as they enter this world. I always wanted to be a mother. I am alone in this cage and I think I might die this way too. I never had a choice. I would never wish captivity upon another being, but I have no choice. choice. Humans wanted me to have children in this hellhole order to increase their prots. Every year I am impregnated against my will. I long to know my children, but I do not have this choice – choice – they are taken away as soon as they enter this world. I had no choice but choice but to have a child. This was the consequence for sluts like me, they said. I screamed when my children were taken away. Some humans studied my brain and my blood, and that of my children, when we were so upset. I had no choice and choice and I think I am losing my mind. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t know if I will want to remain child-free, or if I will adopt, or if I will have biological children. Right now, all I want is the freedom to choose. 5
TW: eating disorders, sexual assault. I remember feeling like I had complete autonomy over my body body.. Feeling responsible for my body used to mean condence and power. power. There is a moment in time where being a body simply meant meant existing in the world within a physical vehicle. vehicle. However, However, becoming a sexualized and objectied body dramatically dramatically alters your entire entire experience as an autonomous human being. Not only do you see yourself as a far more complex and confusing subject but you start to understand yourself as a social object, one that you often felt having no control over. over. Self-objectication is toxic and ruinous. The small, delicate (and prepubescent for fucks sake) frame you were once praised for, grows into something new and you struggle to reconcile the loss of your previously dainty structure. The unrelenting desire to return to a being without a shape can stunt and manipulate your experience in the world, destroying your sense of self and bodily autonomy in the process. And it’s it’s interesting...once you starve yourself back into childhood, you’re no longer sexualized as a passive victim of violent entitled masculinity. masculinity. Part of you enjoys the invisibility as a young woman, no longer bombarded by repulsive shouts echoing from passing cars while another part of you feels cheated cheated of one of the most demeaning identifying features features of beauty reafrmation. Once you catch your breath and decide to start eating again, your body thanks you but you sacrice the anonymity and freedom from unwanted sexual advances that being merely bones protected. Not only this, but people no longer accept your identication with asexuality asexuality as valid anymore. Sure it made sense for a starving body to feel little sexual desire, but a ‘healthy female could never truly be sure she is uninterested in sex at such a young age’, (they’ll say this.) The constant monitoring of femininity and policing of female desire can profoundly shape your experience of the world. Internalizing these ideas that you cannot truly be who you feel you are, transforms your capacity for a lived truth. Experiencing bodily autonomy is so unstable and unreliable. Why the fuck is it so difcult to accept a healthy female body with desires, interests and ideas unique to her? Why can you not keep your mouth shut? Please P lease let me heal the way I need to.
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TW: Sexual assault, rape. I’m really worried that I may not have the ability to engage in consensual sex. Looking back, it doesn’t feel like I have ever engaged in sex without extreme coercion, manipulation and shaming at play. play. Despite obvious declining body language and several pulls away, away, even after the embarrassing “no”s and avoidance of eye contact, violent entitled masculinity seems to exhaust my agency and sweep in, leaving me with nothing to do but wait until it’ it’ss over. Aggressive masculine sexuality constantly bends the parameters of consent and actively works to deny female sexual liberation and desire.
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“So, what… you care about animals but hate babies?” A comment hurled rom a male passerby to emale activists at an animal rights demo, afer we were questioned about our stance on abortion. Tis comment c omment has come up at various demonstrations; an aim by men to show hypocrisy or fighting or justice o nonhumans while diminishing an embryo’s right to lie (as they see it). “Woman, “Woman, as well as animals have the right r ight to bodily autonom autonomy!” y!” I call ca ll out, as they walk away; yelling more offensive, offensive, sexist comments that t hat re-iterate re-iterate that they really don’t don’t want to listen to reason (or women). I was, however, however, surprised to see some o the t he same rhetoric come up in vegan spaces, blogs, even vegan eminist eminist pages. How can one claim to be a eminist, yet value some cells within within the body over the individual’s right to lie and bodily autonomy? Tere are so many coherent arguments to be pro-choice, and so ew that even resemble reality rom the anti-choice side. Not to mention that the “pro-lie” (read: anti-choice) movement is made up largely o heterosexual, cisgender men who will never have to go through the experience o an unwanted pregnancy.. I will, however, pregnancy however, ocus on the main argument that is brought up against vegans, vegans, and usually vegan women. “How can you be vegan and pro-choice?” My response; how can you not? Fighting or animal liberation is (or should be) based upon the justice-based mentality that all beings deserve the right r ight to bodily autonomy and reedom. Tis includes reproductive rights, deciding what happens to their body, and reedom to quality o lie. Anti-choice people talk about “killing babies”, and they don’t even acknowledge the person carrying the etus’s suffering. An embryo is not a baby, but quite literally some cells within the reproductive system that (i they decide to carry it to term) could one day become a baby. Also, more important importantly ly,, embryos do not have any any sel-pertaining sel-pert aining interests, including that o lie, or sentience. A ull ull grown human does. But this is not the main point. Tis “struggle” “struggle” the anti-choices are fighting or is regaining male and religious control o emale bodies and reproduction. Everything they say and do clearly demonstrates this. Tey shame emale-bodied people or being autonomous and deciding to end a pregnancy or any reason, yet provide no access to contraceptives, or support support or those who struggle rom having a child they did not want to have. As ar as they see it, emale bodies exist only or reproduction. Sound amiliar? From all the captive animals used or “breeding”, and cows and chickens exploited reproductive systems systems or dairy and eggs. Tat is all these emale animals are good or to them. No one should be orced to go through the lie-threate lie-threatening ning and lie-altering experience o carrying and giving birth to a child unless that is what they truly tru ly want. I we truly care about bodily autonomy or all beings, abortion rights is an issue that cannot be ignored. All human individuals individuals should have have the right to access sae, shame-ree, shame-ree, abortions. As all animals have the right to live ree o exploitation and oppressi oppressive ve control o their bodies. All have the right to choice. *I use the term “emale bodies” when other terms didn’t didn’t fit to reflect anyone who is biologically capable to carry a child. I am using this term with ull ul l recognition that not all women (including trans* and non-binary) have that ability, ability, and that some trans-men or non-binary individuals also do have the capability to carry a child.* 10
“Strange Fruit” you bleed, you scream. Strange and bitter Fruit they eat: a bit of death, wrapped in torture. the slaughterhouse is the orchard for such a Strange and bitter Fruit they eat. this is the truth behind the meat. from conception to the table is a deception not on a label; with most ‘grade A’ beef or steak comes a slew of hormones, antibiotics and pain. cattle trucked to auction ‘til injured or lame— mama cows ripped from her calves for milk, how insane! there’s little concern for what is humane. the cruelty you see is a cryin’ shame. you feel, you breathe! Strange and bitter Fruit they eat: a bit of esh, wrapped in torture. the factory farm is the orchard for such a Strange and bitter Fruit they eat. this is the truth behind the meat. why do people support such suffering? for every chicken who’s stuck on a plate is a proud Being, Being chucked into a crate, smelling the shit pouring down through the grates from the rows of cages above. lives and deaths of misery—what a disgrace—for something as selsh as taste. billions have their beaks cut off and their throats slit with bloody blades, even socalled ‘organic, free range.’ i’ll do what i can do: i won’t consume you. i’ll sing your blues, i’ll speak out about your abuse cuz you don’t deserve what they do to you. humans who know better, do better. choose better http://youtu.be/CKJ47BeqeF4
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Pro-choice is not anti-vegan People Peop le ofen ask me, why are you pro-choi pro-choice? ce? (Tey will ofen ask me why I am pro-abortion, and why I care so much more about the lives o chickens, pigs, and cows than unborn humans.) Tey say that they are pro “all” lie, that they don’t think someone terminating a etus can possibly be consistent with vegan ethics o causing least harm.
First o all, I’ I’m m not pro-abortion. I’m I’m pro-choice, which is an entirely separate raming o reproductive justice. justice. I someone wants to carry a pregnancy to term, they should be able to do do so. Every sentient being should be trusted to decide or themsel when is t he right time to start and build a amily, and which kind o amily they want to build. Single parents, teen parents, low-income parents, disabled parents, queer/trans parents, parents o color, color, etc. need support and resources that suit their t heir amilies’ needs, not shaming. Te difference between a human uterus haver* and a hen is that the human can consent to having a etus removed (one who is seeking an abortion is specifically asking or that), whereas w hereas the hen (lacking the ability to communicate with us humans) can’t can’t consent to having her egg taken. Te human and the hen both deserve deser ve the right to bodily autonomy and sel-governance. sel-governance. Eggs aren’t aren’t just “lying around” around” - i you crack an egg open or a hen they t hey will gobble it right up. I you want to reduce abortion rates, which is a noble endeavor, endeavor, the way to do that is compre compre-hensive sexual education, accessible and affordable birth control and sexual health ser vices, and resources and support such as parental leave and childcare support so that people eel like parenting is a easible choice choice or them. Forcing a person to carry a child to term and then to keep that kiddo or give them up or adoption doesn’t sound like respecting someone’s bodily autonomy to me. Also, it would be super i we could talk ta lk about not eating the bodies and secretions o other animals without being misogynist toward humans. Eating eggs (or instance) is wrong because taking something that belongs to someone else without their consent is wrong, not because bec ause women and periods (and thereore eggs) are gross. *I am using the clunky phrase “uterus-haver” “uterus-haver” rather than “woman” “woman” because not all women have uteruses (think o trans t rans women, or women who have had a hysterectom hysterectomy) y) and not all al l people who have uteruses are women even though they t hey may still be able to become pregnant (think o trans men or genderqueer or nonbinary emale-assigned people.) Access to amily planning care and abortions when needed is a reproductive justice issue or people o all genders. **I will acknowledge one hole in my argument or reproductive justice. justice. I do support spay/ neuter programs or domesticated domesticated animals. I think it just to ask the question o why w hy I would, when I absolutely oppose the control o reproduction or any human who is capable o consenting to their own reproductive decisions. Te compromise compromise with spay/neuter programs programs or domesticated animals is because we live in a world that is violent to nonhumans and that has exploited them at every turn or millenia. I believe that nonhuman animals are here or their own purposes and do not exist or us to use. At the same time, I wish to avoid causing them harm to the greatest extent that I can. I believe that on the grand scheme o things, not spaying/neutering spaying/neut ering animals (e.g. dogs and cats) will cause them t hem to reproduce with one another which will ultimatel u ltimatelyy cause more violence to their t heir offspring in this speciesist society. 12
about street harassment [—] dare to whistle for I am a dog / your bitch to call? humiliation aggrevation / helplessness 24 passiveness heat is rising /heart is racing / inside my chest how dare you / dare to!!! brainless / thoughtless / numbness spreads throughout my bones sure as hell / want to break yours — all / rip out your tongue don’t you dare again / fucker!!! consuming esh / bare eyes no teeth dogs would defy you / pathetic scum. not your fetish, frollein nor freak to eyeball! just might be the one to make you crawl and feel HUMILIATION like I do because of YOU! About stalking in the digital age ... Violation of privacy Is not only the work of organized institutions The shadows of the past Know what this game as well How to nd you How to push you Over the edge By seeking you out And nding out What you’re about And where to nd And hide Behind closed doors And IPs changing The web you are caught in Does never ever forget. Escape, escape, escape Delete. silberxblick.wordpress.com 13
Our Bodies, Not Yours! Te cover o our zine is an amalgamation o two emale bodies. It depicts Frida Kahlo holding a gun. She is a Mexican artist who spent much o her lie suffering rom an accident and lost her bodily autonomy. Ofen seen carrying a gun, Kahlo protected hersel against her abusive husband Diego Rivera. Her work work is an extension o struggling strug gling to regain the rights and autonomy over her own body. Connected to Kahlo’s torso is the ace o a dairy cow. Like Kahlo, the emale cow does not have freedom over her own body. From birth she is systematically impregnated, her calves are orceully torn away rom her and her milk is subsequently stolen. She is not allowed to exhibit natural sexual behavior, nor bond with her babies. When her body is unable to produce milk afer a raction o her normal lietime, she is deemed worthless by the industry and sent to slaughter. As vegan eminists, we fight for bodily autonomy . We oppose the systemic exploitation o non-human animal bodies. We stand against a male world that objectifies both women and animals. “You are held down by a male body as the ork holds a piece o meat so that the knie may cut into it. In addition, just as the slaughterhouse treats animals and its workers as inert, unthinking, unfeeling objects, so too in rape are women treated as inert objects, with no attention paid to their eelings or needs.” - Carol J. Adams in Te Sexual Politics of Meat
Our Bodies, Not Yours!
