The Myth of the "True" Vegan: Why Purity Tests Harm Our Movement

The Myth of the "True" Vegan: Why Purity Tests Harm Our Movement

Gary Gibson

07/26/25

For nearly two decades, I've navigated the world as a vegan. Eighteen years of making conscious choices about what I eat, wear, and support. And in that time, I've come to a firm conclusion: there's no such thing as a "true" vegan.

This idea of a perfect, unblemished vegan — one who adheres to an impossibly strict set of rules — is a purity test, and it's doing more harm than good. When we focus on who is "pure" enough, we alienate potential allies, make the lifestyle seem unattainable, and ultimately slow down the very progress we hope to achieve.

Think about it: who wants to join a movement that feels like an endless competition for moral superiority, where everyone is trying to be "more vegan" than the last person? If our goal is to create a more compassionate world, we need to make veganism look appealing, accessible, and, dare I say, fun.

Every vegan draws their own line, and that's okay. We can, and should, debate those lines respectfully. But it shouldn't be an isolationist endeavor that separates us from the greater society. If we want others to embrace this lifestyle, they need to see us navigating the non-vegan world with relative ease, not as martyrs making extreme sacrifices.

Let's look at a few common scenarios where these purity tests often emerge:

Eating Out and Socializing

"A true vegan wouldn't step foot in a non-vegan restaurant!" This is a common sentiment, but it misses a crucial point. When we choose to eat at restaurants that offer vegan options, even if they also serve meat, we're sending a powerful message. We're showing those establishments there's a demand for plant-based dishes. This encourages them to expand their offerings, explore new ingredients, and ultimately make vegan choices more mainstream.

Yes, it can be challenging to see others enjoying meat around you. But if our ultimate goal is for others to see the vegan lifestyle as accessible and appealing, they need to observe us living it without it appearing to be a constant struggle or inconvenience. This extends beyond restaurants to concerts, community events, and even our workplaces. You can't avoid non-vegans completely, especially when our numbers are still relatively small. Demanding a 100% vegan bubble isn't just unrealistic; it's counterproductive.

The "Old Leather Shoes" Dilemma

Imagine someone just making the transition to veganism. They have a closet full of clothes and accessories, including a brand-new pair of leather shoes. The "purity test" mentality would demand they immediately discard those shoes. But isn't that incredibly wasteful?

A more practical and impactful approach is to encourage them to wear those shoes until they're worn out, and then replace them with a vegan alternative. Wouldn't we rather live in a world where 90% of people are primarily vegan, even if it means some gradual transitions, instead of having a tiny minority striving for an unreachable 100% purity? The sheer scale of impact from widespread adoption far outweighs the perceived perfection of a select few.

Our Beloved Pets

This is a particularly sensitive topic for some within the vegan community. There's a segment that views pet ownership itself as a form of "slavery." I have five rescue cats, and I wholeheartedly disagree.

I've done extensive research, and I'm not yet convinced that the current vegan food options on the market are truly safe and nutritionally complete for feline health. So, while I am vegan, my cats are not.

My ethical line is drawn at providing my companions with the best possible care, which, at this point, includes animal-based food. Does this make me "not a true vegan" in someone else's eyes? Perhaps. But it reflects my personal moral compass, and that's precisely the point.

Ultimately, everyone is on their own journey. We all draw our own moral lines, and these lines can shift and evolve over time. No one is ever a "perfect" vegan. I've lived this lifestyle for 18 years, and I can't claim to have researched every single ingredient in every single product, or to have only used transportation that aligns with a "pure" vegan ideal.

My argument is simple: we need to be more forgiving and less reliant on these purity tests. We should be open to exploring and debating where others draw their lines, but always with a spirit of understanding and collaboration, not combativeness.

If we truly want to grow the vegan movement and create a more compassionate world, we must be welcoming. That means embracing individuals who who are willing to go halfway, or even just a quarter of the way, knowing that their journey might lead them to their full potential over time. Let's make veganism look like a joyful and achievable path, not an isolating, unattainable ideal.

What do you think? Where do you draw your lines, and how can we make veganism more inclusive for everyone?

About the author: I've traveled the world as a semi-professional vegan soccer player, am a certified personal trainer, and hold five certificates in nutrition, including being a certified health coach. I ran my own vegan health and nutrition coaching company for four years, giving me a deep understanding of the journey of going vegan and thriving.

I'm very open to criticism. Let me have it.