In this beautifully written book, C. Lou Hamilton explores the politics of veganism through the lens of her own experience as a queer vegan. She uses science, philosophy, storytelling and more to examine the use of animals for food, clothing, medicine, sexuality and identity. Her approach is refreshingly open. There are no unambiguous heroes or villains in her story. She approaches all subjects, including herself, with the same critical yet generous perspective, which allows her to move beyond simplistic frames and arrive at a more complex, ambivalent set of truths. This book does what we need many more books to do: show what it looks like for a particular individual in a particular context to aspire to resist oppression in all its forms, while still living a life full of joy, individuality and community.
Jeff Sebo, New York University
Veganism, Sex and Politics is a wonderful and inspiring contribution to the ethics and politics of veganism as a practice. Hamilton has produced a gorgeously written, careful and sensitive text. This book deftly weaves sophisticated contemporary debates together, giving readers a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into the complexities of pro animal politics and veganism. Importantly, this unique volume offers visions for veganism as a non-normative ethical and political practice that goes well beyond individual ethics and move us towards large scale social and political transformation.
Dinesh Joseph Wadiwel, The University of Sydney
'This provocative and imaginative book challenges us to re-examine our usual responses to questions of consumption, ethics, and representation. After all, veganism is not something we can arrive at; it is an ongoing process.' Rasmus R. Simonsen, Copenhagen School of Design & Technology.
‘Veganism, Sex and Politics: Tales of Danger and Pleasure is an original interweaving of scholarship and storytelling that deftly explores the intersecting politics of gender, sexuality, race, class, colonialism, ability and species. In this timely and engaging volume, C. Lou Hamilton draws on her own experiences of the perils and pleasures of veganism to add insight to the contemporary politics of consumption. The result is an accessible introduction to the social justice literature on veganism and representations of veganism in popular culture and media. While most writings on veganism are dominated by concern over food production involving land animals, Veganism, Sex and Politics is set apart by its queer feminist reflections on sea life, animal experimentation, and leather.’ Chloë Taylor, University of Alberta
