Leather Issue (by Vicky) This article was done by Vicky from Cork who did the split zine with me. Her zine was called 'Bovine' and was an all article based zine Leather, one issue ignored and forgotten by many vegetarians and vegans. Grmaine Greer says on the issue of leather wearing(and its usage)".....a concentrated campaign against leather would bring home to many people just how much they had to lose if they actually espounded animal rights". I reckon that one reason why many of my veggie friends don't turn vegan is because sneakers and rubber/synthetic footwear don't carry the same "cred" as paraboots and other such fashionable attire. I last bought a pair of leather boots 3 years ago. I'll admit to wearing them occassionally because I think it wasteful to hide them in a cupboard, the life they belonged to has been stolen and I cannot ignore that. In my vanity I cannot bring myself to give them away, to sell them could only be a case in on slaughtered life. I can't think of any way of justifying why I keep them, but at least if its any consolation to cows and calves I haven't bought any leather products since or new wool in case any wooly friends are interested. And the facts on leather, despite what people think the leather used in jackets, gloves, boots come from young animals not from cows that peacefully passed away after a happy life. Shoe uppers, bags, wallets, breifcases, furniture, jackets are made from soft leather. This soft leather comes from the unborn calf of a pregnant cow at the slaughterhouse. Its not only calves and cows but also horses, sheep, pigs, goats, deer, alligator, crocadiles, toads, ostriches, kangaroos, lizards and snakes that "contribute" to the leather market. How come the wearer of fur is despised what of those who wear leather. It's "production" is just as cruel. leather is fur without hair after all. Lets not forget the geeses, chickens, turkeys, who are reared solely for their feathers/down. Why do vegans and vegetarians almost painstakingly avoid certain foods, additives, beverages, cosmetics and turn a blind eye to the boots on their feet and leather of their belts. Does it add to ones ego to inquire aloud(pompously loud) if the soup is vegan in a resturant and only add to humbleness to ask if these trendy shoes are of synthetic fibres. The enviromental damage caused by synthetic fibres such as rubber is equal that of leather, dyes and cyonide-based chemicals. The campaign against leather is probably the most challeging of all vegan/animal rights issues to address are you too vain to start?...............................or can you think. Vegetarian Shoes, U.K.