PETA’s first ever out trans winner named Sexiest Vegan Male of the Year
PETA has crowned 34-year-old Dexter Thomas this year’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door, making him the first ever out transgender winner.
Thomas, from Salt Lake City, Utah, grew up on a cattle ranch and first went vegan at the age of 17, when he began campaigning for both animal rights and homeless LGBTQ youth.
He led a successful campaign for vegan meal options in his high school cafeteria, but dropped out of school after facing adversity as a trans student.
Now a PhD student, the ambassador for veganism and animal protection in the state of Utah said in a statement:
“I learned firsthand that people are capable of immense cruelty toward others who they perceive to be inferior to them.
“When I started to realise that this attitude drives a transphobia, homophobia, sexism, and so on, I also realised it fuels outdated attitudes toward other animals.
“This is part of what motivated me to go vegan when I was 17.”
Tracey Reiman, PETA’s executive vice president, also said in a statement: “Dexter’s deep commitment to exposing the common roots of oppression and advocating for individuals in need – regardless of species – makes him number one on our list.”
The female winner is physician Chioma Ohalete, from Washington, DC. Thomas wins a free trip for two to Maui – huge congrats!
