Firefighters Are Finalists in PETA’s ‘Sexiest Vegan’ Contest

Washington and Idaho Firefighters Battle It Out to Take Top Honors—and a Tropical Vacation

For Immediate Release:
May 2, 2018

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

PETA is preparing to crown this year’s “Sexiest Vegan Next Door“—and two firefighters are vying for the title. They beat out hundreds of other entrants from across the nation to advance to the final round of 10 male and 10 female contestants. Visitors to PETA.org can help PETA select the winners—one man and one woman—who will each receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

• Based in Sandpoint, Idaho, Gwendal “Gwen” Le Tutour (left) went vegan in 2012 after watching Earthlings while volunteering as a marine engineer with Sea Shepherd—an experience that saw him save 932 whales while working to combat an illegal whaling fleet. An avid long-distance runner, he just set a new world record by running 100 miles wearing 30 pounds of firefighter gear in order to raise awareness of the connection between vegan eating and cancer prevention. In his spare time, he enjoys selling vegan baked goods at the local farmer’s market with his wife.
• As an EMT, Lucas Huyber (right) frequently checked his own vitals—so when he noticed that his blood pressure was elevated, he decided to go vegan. After just a year, his blood pressure has dropped dramatically. When he’s not fighting fires, working as a security guard, or volunteering at a food pantry and a center for people with developmental disabilities, Huyber can be found dishing up vegan meals for his fellow firefighters. Many of his colleagues are starting to follow his lead and embrace vegan eating, and so is his father—a former slaughterhouse worker.

“These bold firefighters have dedicated themselves to protecting all living beings, both on and off duty,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “All the finalists in PETA’s Sexiest Vegan contest prove that a clear conscience and a compassionate heart are the secret ingredients to sexiness.”

Voting to help PETA determine which finalists it should select as the winners ends at 12 noon EDT on May 14. PETA will select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. See the full contest details here. Winners will be notified and announced on May 21.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat.” For more information and to cast your vote, please click here.