u/CaptainYellowHat

I will admit, I am not a vegan, but I want to ask you guys for some perspective.

I am part of a wildlife rescue organization. We're fairly niche in our area, so it's not very big. Almost all the members are vegan, except me.

I see them casually discussing their vegan beliefs in our staff discord sometimes. They're heavily anti-breeding of animals and anti-use of animals, which like, fair enough. But then they also one day discussed the overlap of vegans with animal rescue, saying it wouldn't be possible for a non-vegan to be an animal rescuer as that's hypocritical.

I'm scared to out myself in the group so I've refrained from saying anything about myself that might suggest I am not vegan. Luckily whenever we do real-life social events it's always a vegan restaurant so I never have to justify eating meat.

Anyway, I just want to know, is this a common sentiment with animal rescue? I just really want to help animals that are sick and injured.

So I'm butch who works out for the specific purpose of building a muscular, more masculine physique. I am already hit with the reality that my female body will never be on par with the strength and muscularity of man's - that's ok, I can accept that.

But the worst thing is when I'm scrolling Instagram and finding other like-minded mascs. I see their physique and I go, wow, so I can workout and be bulky even as a woman.

And then I get told they're all on gear. It's so disappointing. It's basically giving the vibe that you won't ever look bigger than a bikini model unless you transition with T or take steroids.

Want to hear other gym lesbian's thoughts.

As someone who feels more and more disconnected from the "queer" community, it's nice to at least have a community like this where I can talk to other lesbians.

I know people often say the queer community is inherently political and counter culture. That the community has always been a catch-all for anyone who deviates from the norm, which is why enforcing labels is meaningless cause everyone's weird and can do whatever they want.

I have no qualms with that, if that's what they want the queer community to be about. But I've realised I myself aren't like that, I don't share the same values and beliefs so I've decided to "opt out" of the community. I no longer go to events or participate in online communities.

Unfortunately that's not good enough either. By othering myself from the community I'm apparently bootlicking and not showing solidarity.

So it's like a damned if you do, damned in you don't situation.

Currently I'm being undercover. I have made some good friends, but I hide all my online activity and never express any of these opinions to them. They're truly fun people to hang out with but I know I can't let them see what I truly think.

It's nice to have a place like this where I can drop my mask and just be myself.

Thank you for listening.