Cutest vegetarian alive? He's a CU student, PETA says
By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 28, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.
Updated April 28, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.
Leonard Sun
Kelly Anderson
BOULDER — A 19-year-old Coloradan who says "meat is gross and unhealthy," has been named the cutest vegetarian alive, male division, by the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Leonard Sun, 19, a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder, says he likes to buy organic and fair-trade products, likes his pants tight, his shades big and his headphones even bigger, according to PETA's web site.
Sun said he went vegetarian three years ago because "it's not fair to eat animals just because we can."
More than 3,500 people vied for the prize, including 1,700 males, said Eva Vieyra-McDaniel of PETA2, the youth division of PETA.
PETA claims that each vegetarian saves 100 animals' lives each year.
"I got kind of sick of eating meat" about three years ago, Sun said. "I felt really bad for the animal, seeing what they had to go through when you watch the videos. I felt kind of guilty."
Sun, a film studies major, said he feels better and has more energy now.
He gets his protein from soy products, nuts and whole grain.
Sun will receive an official "Cutest Vegetarian Alive" sash, a package of vegan goodies, and the chance to model a peta2 T-shirt on peta2.com.
The female winner is Kelly Anderson, 18, of San Antonio, who went vegetarian after doing a high school paper on animal rights. Now, she's a full-fledged vegan, say PETA officials.
Her dream is to change how people look at animals, through photographs.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
April 28, 2008
1:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
MissSio writes:
I had to read the article to find out that this was the male winner. I thought he was a she when I saw the pictures.
No Sasquatch, it's a pre-existing condition of which being vegan is a symptom... I believe it's called emo these days, back in they day we'd just call them pansies. Being vegan won't make you a pansy, being a pansy will make you into a vegan. LOL!
April 28, 2008
1:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
nativegirl writes:
My idea of a man & PETA's is COMPLETELY different.
oy-vey!
April 28, 2008
1:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
nonayerbsns writes:
Well, if'n I had to vote for the cutest vegetarian male alive, I'd be torn between the 2 grown sons of a friend of mine. One is the spitting image of eminem and the other could be keifer sutherland's young brother. I have to admit, this kid (above) looks kind of effeminate. But, cute. Yes, definitely cute.
April 28, 2008
1:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
nonayerbsns writes:
The young lady is also 'cute' but not what I'd have picked for the cutest young vegetarian. Clearly, they haven't been to some of the parties I have had the pleasure of attending. Oh, the choices are endless. The memories priceless....
April 28, 2008
1:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
CaptainObvious writes:
Asinine food terrorists. Why are they still news?
April 28, 2008
2:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
BrandiWine_84 writes:
sometimes people are threatened by others' decisions, when they are so extreme and different from their own, especially when they know deep down that these decisions are the soundest for the survivial of the individual and the planet. That's when they will do things like make fun of appearance or physical build. How sad.
I personally think these two are sexy, regardless of what they look like or what they're wearing, simply because a diet high in meat and animal products links to a gazillion health problems, including such unsexy maladies as obesity, halitosis, impotence, increased mucus production, etcetera. These two don't have to worry about developing these or any ailments through their food intake, which I think is pretty hot.
April 28, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
timeandagain writes:
Pictures of these two are the perfect agruments IN FAVOR of eating meat...
April 28, 2008
2:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
Well, as a vegetarian, I've met some mighty fine veggie guys in my day. That being said, Mr. Sun's appeal is more for the teens who embrace the "emo" look, who this contest was actually geared towards.
April 28, 2008
2:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
bookwerm writes:
Animals have legs and at least have the potential to run away. Vegetable have no chance, and these eaters show no mercy! Just look at those pics.
Vegetables aren't food. Vegetables are what food EATS!
Really tho, the sane path for most is something less than what we do now (feedlot fed cattle, factory farms), and what these folks want... An old fashioned farm, either organic or fair practices, with humane treatment, that I am ok with.. but this packed tight, stuff them with food they aren't designed to eat (ie corn), that needs to change. Not so broke, so we buy grass fed beef or buffalo, free range chicken, or at least natural with access to outside, same for eggs.. a fair compromise?
April 28, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
pwern writes:
And liberal guys wonder why they have such a hard time getting chicks.
April 28, 2008
3:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Francesca writes:
Beauty (or "cuteness") is in the eye of the beholder. Especially when the target audience is 17 or so... 'Nuff said.
April 28, 2008
3:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Shaupeen writes:
BrandiWine wrote:
"especially when they know deep down that these decisions are the soundest for the survivial of the individual and the planet."
Yeah. Right. Brandi, PETA is asking you to eat the greens, not smoke the greens. The biggest decision I have to make today is what red wine to have with my rib-eye tonight. Yes, that's right, I'm eating beef. It's what's soundest[sic] for my survival. Enjoy your hunger pains.
April 28, 2008
3:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
JTTAAB writes:
How many vegtables had to die for your stupid salad
April 28, 2008
4 p.m.
Suggest removal
tchoupitoulas writes:
Can't we all just get along?
Picture it with me....all of us sitting around the dinner table, drinking a glass of pesticide free wine and clean,non-toxic water...passing the Turducken to our meat eating friends and the Tofurkey to our vegetarian comrades? We could even share the baked potatoes folks. DREAM WITH ME!! Everyone raise your fork!
April 28, 2008
4:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Diff writes:
NUT jobs - one and ALL.
real men eat dead cows!
April 28, 2008
4:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
bthye writes:
Am I mistaken, or is Leonard wearing a parts diagram for some kind of gun? He must be wearing it for the irony - guns don't seem to jive with PETA's view of the world.
April 28, 2008
5:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
TIMMAH writes:
I like my pants not tight, and my steak rare. This guy is clearly a emotional doosh and if PETA thinks he is the cutest, then I lost the small amount of respect I had for that organization.
Hey Mr. Sun, for every animal you don't eat, I will eat three!
April 28, 2008
9:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
yummy yummy yummy I have chicken,beef and pork in my tummy.If they didn't taste so good I wouldn't eat them.I grew up on a farm and believe me if you wanted to eat.The animals were there for just that purpose.Also they sure do taste good all cooked up and sizzling hot.mmm-mmm=mmm=good.I always feel better after a big hunk of freashly cooked meat.Beside did you ever see a vegan wolf?I sure could go for a big mac right about now
April 28, 2008
10:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
BrandiWine_84 writes:
reading these ridiculous responses just adds support to my beliefs. Thanks all! Bon appetit!
April 29, 2008
3:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
lazier51 writes:
Are they sure that this dude is really a dude? BTW, MissSio, he is not a pansy, just masculinely challenged, (said with a lisp).
It really bugs me that these people won't eat meat b/c it hurts the animal. Well, maybe they should also stop wearing leather shoes and driving cars as these are just two of many things in this world that use animal by-products. They must be just as dead to be used here as well.
Also, if veg heads don't eat meat, why do they try to make it look and taste like it? Oh well, off to go grill up some very tasty dead animal! Mmmmmmm, steak...