Leather Jacket

[Meghann]

Hello All,
Ok, so - here's the story - I haven't ever had pork or seafood and stopped eating cows at 13 when I fell in love with them and since then have been mostly a vegetarian and completely wiped out poultry June 2005 and last month officially became a vegan after reading THE WORLD PEACE DIET by Will Tuttle.
I just watched EARTHLINGS the other night and now want to do something with a leather jacket I have.
It was a gift for Christmas 2 years prior from my boyfriend at the time (who is now my hubby). I am ashamed to have it, I will never ever ever wear it again (I used to long ago) but am wondering - should I keep it and apprecialove it and make myself use it since it's now a jacket and no longer flesh on an animal OR should I donate it -and if so, can anyone refer me to a animal organization/cause where they could sell and it could go to animals or should I e-bay it and donate the money to my favorite animal ONE Love -Meghann
_________________
Meghann

Many say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one - John Lennon

[tammy]

Hi Meghann

Congratulaions on going vegan!!! I have not seen Earthlings yet but have it on my ilst...

About your jacket - this is a dilemma that is common: what to do with the stuff we own that no longer fits with a vegan philosophy.

First, I just want to say that there really isn't a right or wrong answer, and you'll need to decide what works best for you. For me, I had a slightly similar situation when I first went vegan, but my jacket was newer and I still had the receipts. So I returned it to the store and donated the proceeds to some animal rights organizations. So, as you've already considered, yes, you could sell it at a local consignment store or ebay or even Craigslist. Maybe someone will buy this one instead of a new one, creating a demand for more leather products.

As far as continuing to wear it .. I can understand if it has a lot of sentimental value since your boyfriend/now husband gifted it to you. And from a utilitarian perspective, if you don't wear it, you'll buy a new coat which means using more resources. But at the same time, would wearing it be a symbol of the "fashionable" status of wearing leather? I know the same argument can be made against wearing synthetics, but in this instance it would really be leather and my concern would be that it would influence someone to buy their own leather jacket, thus creating a demand for animal skins.

Plus, you said you were ashamed of it .. so why burden yourself with having to wear something you don't feel good about.

Have you considered donating it to a homeless or women's shelter ? And -- this just popped into my head -- what about using the leather jacket as an opportunity / symbol of your new commitment to veganism and have a ceremony and bury it, and invite your family/friends to join you! And remind them no more animal skins