PETA’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Vegan Makeover Can Help Families Avoid Feuds Over Thanksgiving Feasts

For Immediate Release:
November 18, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

“Do you snap your asparagus at us, sir?” Those are the words that spark a bitter brawl in Act 1 of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet—according to PETA’s new animal-friendly adaptation of the famous tragedy, The Montalegumes and the Cholesterolets. In time for Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow—when vegans often feel set upon by their omnivorous relatives during celebratory family meals—PETA has released today free digital copies of its 21st-century twist on the 16th-century tale, featuring the vegan Montalegumes and the carnivorous Cholesterolets, designed for vegans around the country to gift to change-resistant family members to help ease tensions at the table.

Recent studies confirm that vegans can face hostility and criticism from nonvegan parents and other family members—particularly during holiday celebrations that include a dead-bird centerpiece. Research also shows that more people would be vegan if it weren’t for the fear, particularly among men, of being mocked by meat-eating family and friends.

In PETA’s version of Romeo and Juliet—in which the star-crossed lovers are caught between their feuding families’ food choices—Beetvolio encourages Romeo to crash the Cholesterolets’ barbecue, where he meets Juliet, who later declares from her balcony, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy slaughter and renew my plate, I’ve embraced the vegan life that you proclaim, and I’ll no longer be a Cholesterolet.”

“With ever-more young people going vegan, PETA’s version of Romeo and Juliet serves as a timely reminder for Cholesterolet families to stop ostracizing relatives for leaving animals in peace,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA encourages everyone to choose compassion over conflict and support their vegan family members by keeping animals off the table this Thanksgiving and beyond.”

“PETA’s fun new take on Romeo and Juliet encourages families to show mutual respect and consideration to each other and the animals that live in our world,” says child and adolescent psychiatrist Sneha Venkatraman, MD. “Non-vegan parents should be proud to have raised such compassionate, justice-oriented children who care deeply about the well-being of animals. It is the values and morals they instilled that have led their children to stand up against cruelty to animals. Families can help make their holiday celebrations more inclusive and animal-friendly by serving vegan food that all members of the family can enjoy.”

In PETA’s version of the play, Juliet bids Romeo goodbye from the balcony by proclaiming, “Good night, good night. Parting is harder than an unripe gourd, so I shall say ‘Good night’ to you, my sexy vegan lord.”

PETA notes that each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint, and reduces their own risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity. PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help those looking to make the switch.

Free digital copies of PETA’s The Montalegumes and the Cholesterolets are available for download here.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.