To protect the privacy of students and other non-educators, their names and email addresses have been removed.
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 12:00 AM
I have just watched your video and even though some of us have a long road in animal rights we are still moved and shocked by your lecture. If I ever feel weak, tired, burned out in my fight for animal rights, be sure that I'll watch your video again and that will give the strength and power to not fail or give in. I have no words (literally) to thank you for your amazing work. I will never forget that video, thank you very much.
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 2:28 PM
The husband of our part-time housekeeper watched your oration (on video) last night and said he was going to go vegan!!!!!! This is HUGE!! My housekeeper is 22 years old and went vegan about 6 months ago by being around me and seeing such tapes as The Witness and Diet for A New America. It's been very hard for her because her family had given her a really hard time about it, especially her husband. But, she had stuck to her new found belief and now her husband is on board!! AND, it is because of you! Marlena said it is the BEST video I have given her!
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 12:24 PM
I met you a long time ago at UTEP in Dr. Best's class. You gave a lecture on animal rights which was probably one of most fascinating lectures of the semester. Really, that one probably stands out the most. I'm not sure if you remember but I spoke with you after class and asked you about fish farms. I'd like to know a bit more about what goes on fish farms.
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 2:42 AM
I just wanted to thank you so much for giving your speech at Penn St-Abington last month. I've been telling everyone about it and I'm sending out an email about peta to my friends. I have visited the site and donated money. I feel so overwhelmed with this info though because it is so tragic and it really upsets me. My boyfriend watched the site about animals being killed for fur and it brought tears to his eyes. Why can't this stuff go on action news or something? I think about animal rights a lot during the day and I'm so disgusted. Please email me back and thank you for opening my eyes.
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 8:52 AM
good news- the few vegetarians that were at your speech have gone vegan. they said that it was the extra kick in the ass that they needed to make the switch for good. so that's awesome! also about 8 of my co-workers came to your speech and no one at my job has stopped talking about your lecture. (we actually got in trouble for talking about it too much) I am going to get the VHS tape soon because there are a ton of people who want to see it.
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002 1:13 AM
Thank you so much for coming to speak at my college (Brookdale Comm. C. in NJ). The speech blew my mind, it was even better than I thought it would be! The speech was phenomenal. I couldn't stop thinking about it all day at work. I didn't stop talking about it either. One of my co-workers who went to the speech heated up her dinner tonight and she couldn't eat it because it had chicken in it. She threw it away and said she can't eat meat ever again after seeing your lecture. I can't tell you how awesome your speech was. Your speech was the best that Brookdale has ever seen. You've inspired me to do more as an activist.
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 11:46 AM
Let me start by saying......you are the @$#%^&* man. We need people like you telling the TRUTH, stopping all the misinformation, and not taking any shit from anyone. I had to come and see you at the Brookdale College Lecture because I have been vegetarian for 8 years and work at a completely vegetarian restaurant in Belmar, NJ named Veggie Works. We got invited to PETA's 25th Humanitarian Awards, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, last year in NYC. We were honored to be there. Keep up the awesome work and don't take any shit, I know you won't.
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 9:23 PM
I would like to thank you for your lecture it was interesting and informative. I enjoyed it very much, and I anticipate reading more about PETA in the future.
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 10:13 PM
One of the students who attended your lecture at Simmons College was really moved and she wants to start an animal rights group on campus. So it should be exciting. Your lecture really is amazing. I would really like for more people to experience it. I think that the lecture in itself is a cathartic experience, but to then go into the real world and try to rationalize it to others who haven't experienced it is a whole battle in itself. I truly don't think that I am the same person that I was pre-lecture.
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 5:02 PM
I am a student at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. On Friday, Dec. 6, I had the opportunity to see Gary Yourofsky speak on the CU Boulder campus, and he helped me decide once and for all to go vegan. I was wondering if he would be coming to CSU any time soon because there are many people who would like to see and meet him, that could not make it to Boulder on Friday. If you could let me know if he is coming that would be great, or even if he is going somewhere else in Colorado, that could be helpful too.
NOTE FROM ME: On 12/6/02 at UC-Boulder, 220 people showed up for an OPEN lecture. After the talk, I turned to set up the mike and other stuff for the Q&A session. Then, out of the corner of my eye, somebody walked up to the stage and dropped something there. Since I was busy preparing for the Q&A, I didn't see exactly what happened. Then, I turned and saw something that blew my mind; a pair of leather shoes and a leather belt. Many audience members were staring at the shoes and belt and smiling. I asked the crowd, "What happened?" About six or seven people blurted out, "Some guy just went up there, took his shoes and belt off and left!" Wow, wow, wow, is all I have to say! I know many people have been converting after my talks, but this is the most RELIABLE proof ever! Anyway, I was so glad that he also sent me an email the following day. His is the next one.
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 4:07 AM
You have changed my life, opened my eyes, and redeemed me from my ignorance. I dropped my leather at the meeting at CU and went home barefoot. I want to help. You are a good man to lead. People will follow and lead. Have faith in inherent goodness. If it is cool, I'd like a copy of the videos, and the script of your speech.
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 12:57 PM
I was at your talk last night at CU-Boulder and I just wanted to say I thought it was incredible. It was so refreshing to hear someone talk about the same ideas that I think about--but am always too afraid to say. Watching those videos made me feel sick--knowing that some humans can actually listen to animals suffer--or even want to cause such pain to any living being. I just wanted to say that you have given me a renewed sense of hope that there is a way to help animals.
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 5:23 PM
My 18-year-old daughter attended Gary's speech last night at Colorado U. She's vegetarian, but not yet vegan. However, when I talked to her today she raved about Gary's talk and told how the videos made her cry and she said "I'm really going to try hard to be vegan." She also brought a guy friend with her to the event. He's a committed meat eater but he did concede that the presentation made him think about where his food came from. He wants to be a chef and will be attending the Culinary Institute of America this spring. I told my daughter that even though the presentation didn't convert him, it might be the first step to helping him evolve.
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 7:20 PM
First I would like to say thank you for coming to CU and lecturing last night, Friday the 6th of December. I thought your talk was eye opening and inspiring. I was not a vegetarian before, nor had I really considered it, but upon having to see those poor animals in the conditions they were forced into, I think I must reevaluate my choice of food. This process will probably be difficult and lengthy, but I aim to complete the transformation within a year, hopefully less. With this being said, I feel a further point ought to be addressed in addition. I think the manner in which you handled my questions were fantastic and I thank you for breaking the 'mold,' so to speak, of many other activists whom try to dodge questions when they do not like the ultimate conclusions. I thank you so much for your time ... both in reading this email, in providing a response, and in spending an hour or two with the people of Boulder; people who came out of your presentation with their eyes a little wider, and their minds a little more open.
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2002 11:35 AM
Thank you so much for visiting Midwestern State U. last week. Your presentation was very inspiring. I have since changed from a simple vegetarian to a complete vegan. I went out and purchased new shoes, belt, and a jacket that are all cruelty free. I have given my leather goods to people in need. I plan on purchasing your video so I can share your presentation with others as soon as I can. I wanted to give extra thanks now that I have become more committed due to your presentation. You are an inspiration.
Sent: Friday, November 29, 2002 12:46 AM
I wanted to email you because you have been on my mind, and my husband's too since Monday. We are so glad we heard you speak at Midwestern State U. On the way home from the lecture, all I could think about were your words. I have been a vegetarian for so long, and a vegan for several months. However, the way you see things, and communicate your views, has really changed me. I now know that it is my duty to peacefully co-exist with my fellow beings. It is not enough for me to refrain from eating them, I now believe that I must advocate and speak out for them, because they can not speak out for themselves. Thank you, so much, for coming here. Every day we have discussed your lecture. We are looking at the earth so differently thanks to you. You have really changed our lives.
Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 5:52 PM
Thank you for that awesome presentation in our class at St. Mary's College (Cal.) last month.
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 12:48 PM
About a month ago, you came to my school (Saint Mary's College of California), and you spoke passionately about animal rights. Thank you for that. It was a very eye-opening experience. Also, I was wondering if you will be coming back to the area any time soon (within the next year). I want to bring some people to your next lecture.
Sent: Monday, November 25, 2002 1:32 PM
I was in the animal science class at NC State that you spoke to recently. I just wanted to thank you for taking time to come speak with us. I thoroughly enjoyed your speech. I have been a vegetarian for 3 years now, since I was in high school and read an article written about downers. Though I have been donating money to PETA for a few years, this was my first opportunity to really hear someone from your organization speak. You did a wonderful job!
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 7:13 PM
I had fallen off the vegan wagon for a while, but your video footage and lecture at NC STATE got me back on.. So thank you for that. It's really great that somebody would give so much to a cause, I really admire you.
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 3:46 AM
Just a quick e-mail to let you know how much I appreciated your presentation for my Sociology class on Friday, November 15, at SUNY-New Paltz. Wow is all I can say to how blatantly your discussion shed light on my ignorance. All I can say is thanks, and I'm looking forward to actually sticking to my vow and never eat meat again. Your statement, "If it's not good enough for your eyes, why is it good enough for your stomach?" really hit home ... that's what made me realize that knowing of the horrors yet trying to play into the hear no evil see no evil tactic was completely ridiculous. Thank you again for finally helping me to open up my eyes ... I can see it's going to be a struggle already considering I've encountered about 10 fights with family members and friends within the past 3 days ... but it's a struggle well worth it.
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:25 PM
Your presence at Marist U. was felt and surprisingly received. Being the only incredibly outspoken activist on campus, I have been in touch with tons of people who want to learn more or just discuss what they saw and heard from you. I am extremely pleased to meet a successful (from a social change point of view) militant vegan activist. To put it another way ... you, my friend, are the bomb!!!! And I am greatly appreciative of your presence in the world and the support you have provided me with.
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 12:47 PM
I just wanted to thank you again for coming to Marist and educating. I know that it can be difficult at times to try and open previously closed minds, especially at a place like Marist. I also wanted to thank you in advance for sending me a hard copy of the speech that you so capably give. The document will be invaluable in both the rest of my academic and activist careers, respectively. Thank you again for coming.
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 4:41 PM
My sister is a student at the U. of New Hampshire and she told me that your video made her face the reality of animal abuse. I would like to know how I could see that video.
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 11:59 AM
My roommate and I really enjoyed your speech at Cornell. I've ordered a copy of Liberator to Educator on VHS. :) Good luck
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 3:32 PM
Thank you for your presentation at UNH on November 5, 2002. It's clear you are very committed to your principles. I doubt the world would ever know the true carnage that occurs to create "Mmmm, mmm, good" had it not been for your daring and courage to talk about it. On days when it seems like perhaps you are not making the progress you had hope for, or are moving backward across Schopenhauer's stages, take heart in the knowledge that the animals in those places saw you there on those days in the moments before their deaths, and they knew, as only animals can, that you were not one of "them", but a secret friend who would tell all those who would listen, and eventually even those who ordinarily would not, the whole sad, sordid tale so they would not die in vain. You are their champion and it is a trust well placed.
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 8:14 PM
I received your DVD!, It's amazing!!, I love how you are so passionate when you give your lectures! I really enjoyed the DVD, so I passed it on to student council and I'm hoping they will let me show it to the school, through an assembly.
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 5:54 PM
Thank you so much. I wish I could tell you all that I am left thinking. And I held a discussion section with some of the students following your presentation. There were many good questions, some tears, and a long talk about eggs and the poultry industry, which is something else I am particularly interested in. You are a very powerful presence, and I could see the effect you have on students. I guess we all contribute in our own ways, yours being high profile and mine being small scale education, but on every level, it counts. And I am very pleased to have had the chance to meet you. I would have enjoyed talking to you more. I WILL KEEP IN TOUCH! Because I think you have a wonderful way of presenting some very difficult information, and more and more people need to hear it.
Sent: Tuesday, November 05, 2002 1:25 PM
Thanks for speaking at Simmons College last night. I learned so much about animal rights. Most importantly, I now see the need to encompass all life in my concept of social justice. I thought I did that before, but now I really see it.
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2002 12:57 PM
I was in theU. of New Hampshire class today, and was totally captivated by everything you said. I know that, despite the horrible images you showed us, there are still skeptics out there. How that is possible is light years beyond my comprehension. The brutality towards animals and the idea that humans are somehow separate and above other animals was something I've been aware of for a long time. But, it didn't hit hard until today. I feel enlightened and compelled to act on that. There's an Animal Rights Alliance on campus, and I just emailed them about joining their effort. Thank you so much for speaking to us today. And best of luck with everything you set out to do for PETA.
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 1:22 PM
You spoke in my ethics class today at the University of Akron. I was really moved by the video that you presented to us, and I felt that your presentation was very strong. I had no idea that that was what happened everyday, and truthfully, it sickened me. I don't want to eat now. In fact, I am strongly considering becoming a vegetarian.
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 12:24 PM
I was in the lecture you gave on Tuesday at Ohio State and I wanted information about where I can order your lecture and where you will be next. I also wanted to thank you. I had never seen animals treated so awfully and it made me realize how naive I was. So again, thank you for helping me open my eyes and my mind. I truly appreciate it.
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 7:35 PM
I was just in the lecture you gave at Ohio State. I would really like my dad and girlfriend to get to hear it. I think I am going to make another strive for vegetarianism... and most likely veganism.
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2002
First, I'm so very sorry for not having followed up on your event at Deerfield Academy yet. It was absolutely wonderful and those who attended were not only enlightened, but influenced greatly. Since then, there have been several students who made their diets much stricter and now consider themselves vegan, and many others have been experimenting with vegetarianism. Our vegetarian table has become rather popular too.
Sent: Fri 10/25/2002 6:04 PM
I am a graduate student and instructor at Illinois State University. I want to start by saying Thank You for being such an inspiration this afternoon; (I obviously attended your discussion at ISU). Your job as an animal rights educator is my dream job. Don't get me wrong, I am not dreaming of arrests and gaining repulsive undercover footage; I am however dreaming of raising people's awareness to these issues on a larger scale. Though I educate on these issues any time the situation arises by speaking up in social situations, writing editorials, and writing protest letters, it never seems enough. I have been teaching writing at the college level for four years now and am currently working on my Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition. Gary, you are one of my heroes! I can't possibly express to you how much I appreciate and respect what you do. You are an amazing speaker that made me feel more powerful leaving that classroom today. That is, more powerful in the sense that my individual actions can have an affect and that I need to spread what you shared with us today to as many people as possible.
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 1:54 AM
I attended your lecture at Western Illinois U. this last Monday and I would like to thank you for coming. Your presentation was inspired and I applaud your work. The main reason I am writing you, however, is not a mere virtual handshake, but to thank you for changing my life. I did not fully realize the impact of the things you said until last night, when I pulled some handi-snacks (the pizza kind) out of the fridge. The package contained some pepperoni and the sight of it simply turned my stomach. I pictured the animal origins and those thoughts aroused deep feelings of repulsion. I felt the conviction and made the decision then and there to go vegan. I am very optimistic about this decision and looking forward to making a change for the better in the world. I want to communicate the gratitude I have to you for helping me see this part of me. Keep up your efforts and know that what you are doing is making real changes for the better.
Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2002 12:14 AM
I am a student at Loyola-Chicago. I wanted to thank you for coming to speak to us today. it was a very educational experience. Thank you again for speaking to us.
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 3:12 PM
I just wanted to send you a quick thank you for the speech that you gave on Monday at Western Illinois University. I have been a vegetarian for three years, and I knew all of the gory details of everything from an experience with an animal rights organization in high school. However, all of your photos and information reminded me- very firmly, might I add- why I became a vegetarian. It is also the reason that I have turned vegan now. This is a very difficult change for me, because I am a humongous fan of cheese and ice cream. However, I know that I can do it, especially when it helps stop suffering around the world. I wrote an article for the school paper (I'm a journalist, and I REALLY wanted to write a story on your speech), and if you would like, I could send it to you. It achieved first page status, and I have already received Kudos on it from one of the news editors. I will probably send a copy of it to PETA. Thank you very much for your wonderful speech. I know a lot of people were moved and affected greatly by it.
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:13 PM
I was one of the TAs for the INDV 101 course you spoke to on Wednesday, October 16th at the University of Arizona. I wanted to thank you for your talk and let you know that your message had a serious impact on me. As a grad student in Cultural Studies, I do my work in discourse analysis and am very aware of the nature of power, dominance and ideology that is at work in the way our country deals with food production and consumption. I have a very soft heart where animals are concerned, I dote on my rescued dog, and have shied away from info on factory farming because I just didn't want to know. Though, repeatedly through my travels, my reading and my own work the information has been surfacing, which has forced me to keep coming back to the inconsistency between how I feel about my dog and how the food I eat made it to my plate. After your talk, the big picture (ecological, moral, health, political issues) fell in to place. What really motivates me is the personal and I keep coming back to the glaring inconsistency between how I feel about my dog and how I (don't) deal with the casualties of factory farming. I realize that I can no longer live with that inconsistency and am taking the steps necessary to become fully vegan. I just needed a good kick in the pants from the likes of you. Again, because my own work is discourse analysis, I found your talk fascinating as much for how you made your presentation, as for your content (though the content obviously had a big effect on me). I don't have the time or space to go in to the whole critique but your sophisticated arguments that preempted every rebuttal reflected well on your message, your organization, and radical activism. Thank you for your time and your passion—you have made a convert (who will probably make more over time as I subtly influence my friends and family.) I wish you the best in your future work.
Forwarded by: Dr. Steve Best (Professor at UTEP)
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 7:16 PM
I've never thought of being a vegan but listening to your lectures all year sparked an interest, I've cut down my meat dramatically but my dairy hasn't been all that easy. I grew up with dairy, and eat some at least for every meal. But hearing Gary Yourofsky today I have decided I'm going to try and be totally vegan.
Forwarded by: Dr. Steve Best (Professor at UTEP)
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 3:38 PM
Hello Dr. Best, I just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying your class. Today's guest speaker, Gary Yourofsky, was very interesting, especially the video. As I was watching the video, it made me realize what was going on ... THE REALITY!!!! Sometimes as humans we do not want to take a minute and think about it, literally I was crying to see how people sacrifice animals just for other people's appetite, for MEAT. I want to thank you for giving us these kinds of lectures and letting us see animals and nature as part of us, not just what we can consume from it. Thank you.
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 1:30 AM
I really enjoyed meeting you and your lecture was awesome!
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 10:15 PM
I was at your lecture at Henry Ford Community College last week and would first off like to thank you for your touching, motivating, and enlightening words. I personally was very moved by your speech and have a feeling that you gave me the kick in the ass i needed to get my ball rolling! an epiphany if you will. Anyway, when I was quite young (13 yrs old or so), I decided to become a vegetarian (against my family's will). I was successful for about 2 years and then for some reason (perhaps not enough education or exposure to keep me true to what I believe), I gradually fell back into the "normal, accepted, easy" diet that most Americans follow. Over the past year or so I have once again started picking back up the vegetarian diet (although I was not following it quite at strict or intently as I wished). After your lecture I decided that I would like to try the vegan diet....well not only diet but lifestyle.
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 2:15 PM
I hope you've made it to your other destinations safely. I want to thank you for bringing veganism back into my life. It really has made me much happier.
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 12:27 PM
Thank you for coming into our class at Wayne State U. and opening our eyes.
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2002 5:29 PM
I just wanted to drop you a quick email, and tell you again how wonderful it was to have you come and open some eyes here at Oakland U. So, in honor of your visit, I decided to see how much practice there is in what you preach—I simply went online, typed in your name and was immediately blown away by the amount of press you have single handedly stirred up. Anyway, I'm sure you've heard all of this a million times—but I hope you don't mind just a little more support in your quest ... or whatever you are calling it these days. You can add me as a "fan" on your list of "Fans and Foes."
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