My Letter to Dear Abby

Regarding the reader who is unhappy that her vegan family members don't offer meat and dairy,  I know that my friends and family who eat animals are good people, but I would no more provide meat and dairy dishes for them than I'd provide bumper stickers saying "Climate change is a hoax" or "Animals don't suffer in factory farms."  We should all move towards a plant-based diet and thank the friends and family who are helping us do that.  Every time we eat a plant-based meal, we're doing volunteer work for the environment and animal welfare.

This is my response to the Dear Abby Column below.

DEAR ABBY: Some of my extended family members have become vegan. When they come to my home, I make sure to have appropriate food for them, in addition to nonvegan food for others. When I am invited to their homes for a celebration, they offer only vegan selections. No one is allowed to bring nonvegan or meat-based dishes to their home.

It has reached the point that I no longer want to go there when a meal is involved. I have tried talking to them about this, but their reply is, "No meat allowed in our home." I now leave before mealtime because I don't like a lot of their dishes.

Is it common for vegans to prohibit guests from ever taking other food into their home? Thanks for any light you can shed on this. -- MEAT LOVER IN HOUSTON

DEAR MEAT LOVER: People become vegans for a variety of reasons. Some do because they feel it is unethical to kill animals for food. Others do it because they feel raising animals for slaughter is harmful to the planet. People also become vegans for health reasons.

Individuals who adopt this way of life often feel as your relatives do, and that's their privilege. If it impinges on your freedom or limits your enjoyment of these celebrations, forgo them and either participate in get-togethers that don't include food or go to an accommodating restaurant.