Pride is a Celebration of Love: Catskill Animal Sanctuary Honors the LGBTQ+ Community
At Catskill Animal Sanctuary, we believe in building a world rooted in compassion for every being, without exception. That includes not only the animals we protect, but the people who make up our vibrant, loving community. During Pride Month, we stand proudly with the LGBTQ+ community to honor the joy, resilience, and beauty of living authentically. This month we are taking the time to lift voices, celebrate love in all its forms, and express our unwavering support for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
For decades, queer folks have been at the heart of the animal rights movement, as activists, caregivers, thinkers, artists, and changemakers. Some of the most powerful work for collective liberation has come from individuals who have had to fight for their own safety and belonging while extending empathy to other species. That resilience, that deep understanding of what it means to be othered, has helped shape this movement into one grounded in love.
At CAS, we fight daily for a more compassionate world for animals. The same forces that exploit and devalue these animals–power, control, and the belief that some lives matter more than others–also uphold systems of racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. We are honored to be a space where everyone, no matter their gender identity or sexuality, can feel safe, celebrated, and seen.
Queerness Exists in Nature
For those who believe queerness is “unnatural,” nature has something to say about that. Same-sex pairings, non-reproductive sex, intersex individuals, gender fluidity, and long-term queer bonds exist across the animal kingdom. In fact, same-sex behavior has been documented in more than 1,500 animal species, from birds and dolphins to sheep and macaques.
Even here at CAS, we’ve witnessed same-sex behaviors and gender diversity amongst our residents. Our goat residents Hermione and Thelma seem to be almost exclusively interested in female goats (and each other)! The same has been true over the years for sheep residents, ducks, geese and even some of our cows. Queerness isn’t a human invention; it’s part of the fabric of life.
The truth is, queerness has always existed, in humans and non-human animals alike. But due to the biases of Western science and society, it has often been erased, ignored, or pathologized. That’s beginning to change, thanks to growing awareness and an increase in LGBTQ+ researchers and voices. And just like the animals we care for, people deserve the freedom to love, express, and be exactly how they see fit.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Vegan-Owned Brands
What better way to celebrate Pride Month than by supporting LGBTQ+ vegan-owned businesses? These creators and entrepreneurs are not only advocating for a kinder food system, they’re infusing our communities with artistry, culture, and flavor.
Here are some local LGBTQ+ owned vegan businesses and brands to support this month (and always):
🌈 Yeah Dawg! (Kingston, NY) – Delicious, plant-based hot dogs made from whole foods. Woman-owned, queer-owned, and absolutely beloved. https://www.yeahdawgvegan.com/🌈 Lagusta’s Luscious (New Paltz, NY) – Ethically sourced vegan chocolates handcrafted by a queer feminist chocolatier. https://www.lagustasluscious.com/
🌈 Little Loaf Bakeshop (New Paltz, NY) – Vegan bakery specializing in croissants, danishes, morning buns, cookies, and more. https://www.littleloafbakeshop.com/
And there’s many more! From vegan chefs and bakers to artists and authors, the LGBTQ+ community brings creativity, vision, and compassion into the vegan movement every single day. Let’s show up for them in every way we can.
This Pride, We Invite You to:
- Uplift LGBTQ+ voices in your community
- Support queer-owned vegan brands
- Learn about the diversity of identities in the natural world
- Show up for marginalized people in real, tangible ways
- Choose compassion in all that you do
Spread love. Be kind. Celebrate boldly. From all of us at Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Happy Pride! Want to share a favorite queer-owned vegan brand in the Hudson Valley? Tag us on Instagram @catskill_animal_sanctuary so we can spread the love! 🌈❤️🐐
