Monday, April 04, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NEWSMAKERS: Animal rights group PETA recognizes Las Vegan

Chris Poulsen named finalist in Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest

Chris Poulsen

Chris Poulsen made a lifestyle choice that affects every aspect of his life, from his clothes, to his diet, to the way he looks at the environment. That choice is to be a vegan -- and the People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals has recognized him for his decision.

Poulsen, 27, was chosen as one of 10 male finalists from the United States and Canada in PETA's second annual Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest. Ten women and 10 men were chosen as finalists from 200 men and more than 200 women who entered the contest. The finalists had their photos and bios posted on PETA's Web site, where more than 200,000 people voted for the winners online. PETA's Web site is http://www. goveg.com.

The winners of the contest are Micah Risk, 20, from Richmond, Va., and Carl Hreha, 23, from Mercerville, N.J.

"Clearly everybody who entered the contest are eating the healthiest diet there is," said Bruce Friedrich, director of vegan campaigns at PETA. "In our eyes they are all winners."

Poulsen said he was interested in the contest because he likes PETA's position on animal rights. The contest turned into a family affair.

"My wife is a member of PETA, and we both responded to an e-mail we received about the contest," Poulsen said.

Poulsen noted he has been a vegetarian for more than two years, and after about a few months of being a vegetarian, he switched to a vegan diet. He said he changed his diet initially because his wife, Jill, is a vegan, but it turned out to be a life-changing decision.

"It is a lifestyle in itself. You have to change a lot of what you do," he said. "From wearing leather to what shoes you buy, what actions you take, (you have to ask) how is it going to affect the environment?"

He said he and his wife don't eat out much because there are not many places that cater to their dietary needs. As far as the environment, he said the damage being created by meat and dairy farms is staggering, and the degradation of the land is being hurried by meat-eaters.

A Las Vegan for 25 years, Poulsen graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a degree in criminal justice in 2000. His goal at the time was to be a police officer, but after a short time at the police academy, he decided that route was not for him.

"It was just too hard," Poulsen said. "And I'm glad I dropped out when I did, because that career just wasn't conducive to what my lifestyle is now."

He works for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

To get a vegetarian starter kit, call PETA at (888) 834-3663.

If you know of a worthy candidate for the Newsmakers column, mail information to: Monique Frigard, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, send faxes to 383-4676.