Taste the rainbow

Is there such a thing as queer food and why are queerness and plant-based diets so often linked? Carla Jové aims to answer these questions by looking at the philosophies of both.

Whether you realise it or not, queerness and veganism share more similarities than you might think. The term ‘queer food’ has become increasingly popular over the years, together with the rise of queer restaurants. Specific foods and drinks, such as sourdough bread and vodka soda, have been claimed by the LGBTQ+ community. In other cases, food might be queer just because it’s made by queer chefs.

In a society where food choices can reflect political or social identities, certain foods are associated with specific labels—like caviar suggesting wealth or red meat implying masculinity. This extends to food being linked to queerness, too. For instance, eating quinoa, hummus, or buttercream cupcakes, or even licking an ice cream, can be thought of as a ‘gay’ act.

This whole phenomenon is not strictly problematic per se, only when the associations carry a pejorative meaning. Studies show that some men avoid foods like yogurt and pink frosting or drinks like rosé because they’re seen as feminine, implying that it’s something they don’t want to be associated with because it can interfere with the reflection of their masculinity or sexual orientation.

For good or bad, food is used as both a signifier of the self and fuel for the body. From a positive perspective, being mindful about your food choices can be a form of self-expression and a manifestation of your values, offering the chance to be yourself more authentically. Most of us do it unconsciously, but once we notice it, it can be a very powerful tool to expand our identity.

In a queer context, the same way we make indirect statements through the music we listen to and clothes we wear, food has some significance too. Notably, there’s a certain diet that is commonly linked with queerness, and that is a plant-based diet. While both queerness and a plant-based diet are part of a person’s identity, it’s important to note that only one is a choice. Additionally, for this discussion, we’ll use “plant-based” and “vegan” interchangeably, even though each term has its own distinct movement and deeper purpose.

But what do queerness and plant-based diets have in common? The first thing you might think of is the rainbow flag. Yes, it is true: the more colorful, the better. ‘Gay food’ tends to be lighter, brighter, more artistic and aesthetic. It’s not an Irish stew or meat pie that comes to mind when picturing these foods.

However, there are deeper associations between these two lifestyles. While it can mean so many different things, queer food in any form requires one non-negotiable ingredient: community. “Queer food is food eaten and enjoyed and produced in queer community,” says Liz Alpern, founder of Queer Soup Night, which hosts LGBTQ+ events to raise funds for local non-profit organisations.

As for plant-based diets, they are also based on a whole movement that involves community. Veganism isn’t just a way of eating, the same way being queer isn’t just about your sexual identity. It involves a sense of togetherness.

Being revolutionary and behaving outside the norm are also some of the main traits queerness and veganism share—challenging traditional social norms and defying the status quo.

Queering culinary practices involves presenting food as something distinct from the traditional or normative. Similarly, plant-based meals aim to surprise consumers with unfamiliar ingredients, challenging traditional meaty dishes. It’s about being bold, exploring new flavours, and defying culinary norms.

Not just that, but queerness and veganism are all about showing hospitality and acceptance. Queer movements involve embracing all types of minority groups. The more people fighting for the cause together, the better, because it can’t be done alone. Likewise, plant-based diets also encourage everybody to join the movement.

So, next time you wonder why so many LGBTQ+ people are vegetarian or vegan, the answer is quite obvious. Many LGBTQ+ people follow a plant-based diet because it is rooted in compassion. Having experienced marginalisation and discrimination, the LGBTQ+ community often shows deep empathy for the oppressed. This extends to animals, particularly those suffering in factory farms, which are seen as some of the most exploited beings. Whether for animal rights, environmental concerns, or personal health, being vegan is inherently political.

Ultimately, both queerness and veganism are about fighting for justice and equality. While not every queer person follows a plant-based diet and vice-versa, both movements share a sense of community and belonging, united by the belief that collective action is key to securing the rights everyone deserves.