Out Trans Man Dexter Thomas In The Running For PETA’s “Sexiest Vegan Next Door”

He gets our vote!
From: NewNowNext

 Dexter Thomas could become the first trans winner of PETA’s annual “Sexiest Vegan Next Door” contest.

According to LGBTQ Nation, the 34 year-old Salt Lake City resident “is one of ten male finalists who could win a trip to Maui, after the tabulation of votes cast by visitors to the animal rights organization’s website.”

On the website where you can cast your vote for the contest, PETA describes Thomas as:

“…a transgender activist who believes that everyone deserves equal consideration, respect, and compassion, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race or species. As a researcher, he uses his expertise to advocate for non-animal test methods, including during his time working for the National Institutes of Health.”

Thomas has been a vegan since he was 17, when he campaigned for his high school to include vegan lunch options. He dropped out before graduation due to the difficulty of his transition, but went onto obtain his GED and is now a doctorate student of social psychology at the University of Utah. His next goal is to launch a career as an advocate for animals and homeless sexual-minority youth.

 “I’m honored and excited to be the first-ever out transgender finalist of PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door contest,” Thomas wrote on Facebook, “…this is a very important time for diverse trans visibility and for all of us to do our best to be a voice for the oppressed.”

“Nothing gets hearts racing like someone who’s healthy, fit, energetic, and passionate about social justice, and that description fits vegans to a T,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman in a statement on the contest. “Dexter Thomas and the other sexy vegans in PETA’s contest are already winners because they’re making the world a better place for all living beings one delicious plant-based meal at a time.”

Thomas would be following in the footsteps of Víctor Iván Barragán, the openly out winner of last year’s “Sexiest Vegan Next Door” contest.

Voting ends on June 7. PETA will then select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. The winners will be announced and notified on June 14.