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End oppression of all living beings

At Chicago's Pride Fest earlier this month, like many other proud LGBT supporters, I was there to support the rights of my LGBT friends. Animal cruelty was the last thing I expected to hear about at this festival - however, upon taking a free pamphlet outside the festival, it became about both. What was surprising to me and many others was the emphasis on the similar oppression of farm animals detailed inside the pamphlet. Animals in factory farms throughout the country are oppressed and abused and have their rights systematically stripped from them.

The parallels between their situation and that of LGBT people around the world hit me while reading the booklet. Admittedly, at first I was annoyed with it because I thought that this weekend is about LGBT pride, not animal cruelty, and this was just obnoxious. I quickly changed my mind after reading their information. I realized this weekend was about ending oppression and spreading social justice.

With that in mind, I still come to the festival to support of my LGBT friends, but in the spirit of this past week I will also be keeping in mind the animals as well! Ending oppression of living beings that can feel love is exactly the type of cause that I choose to support.

Meghan Turley

Aurora

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