When I call myself vegan... I don’t just mean that I don’t eat animal products. To me it extends to my life; I don’t use or own any animal products in my house. I ride a scooter, recycle everything and bring my own cup as much as possible. No one is perfect and I’m far from it but my point is that I try to live by what I preach. Since moving to Portland my views have broaden on several topics including gender, feminism and always expanding on my reasons why I have chosen to go vegan. Which is why I’m so surprised a long-time vegan restaurant called the Pirates Tavern has turned into Casa Diablo, a “Gentlemen's Club" which seems like a blatant contradiction. On one hand I’m amazed that this type of establishment would even open in Portland; we are a progressive and forward thinking town filled with radical vegans. On the other hand I’m reminded that our wonderful city has more strip clubs per capita than any other city in the U.S as well as a high content of vegans.

Putting the demographics and vegan population aside, the whole point of a strip club is somewhat similar to a rodeo or other event that exploits or uses animals as entertainment. Being vegan means we disagree with the rape of dairy cows, murder of livestock, torture of vivisection and the overall exploitation of animals by the U.S. economy. The similarity of animals seen as products or dollar signs and women on a pole in a strip club are relevant. Both exploited by the customers and the owners of the dairy, slaughterhouse and strip clubs.

As vegans I think it is our duty to show discontent for these views and this establishment just as we show our discontent for the objectification and exploitation of our animal brethren. I hope you stay true to yourself and what being vegan really stands for, equality for all not just men and animals.