By Matt Hodge
Sex sells, even if the product is vegetarianism. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals may have been trying to take advantage of that mantra when it brought its 'Live Make-Out Tour' to Provo Wednesday, March 8, 2006, to promote an animal-free diet.
PETA members participated in a toned-down demonstration Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Center St. and University Ave.
'We''re just trying to show people that vegetarians make better lovers,' said Erin Edwards, PETA communications coordinator.
PETA members Mike Brazell and Theresa Moore had planned to kiss on a bed set up at the intersection as activists handed out leaflets, as they have in several other cities across the nation. While PETA obtained a permit to publicly demonstrate, the police forbade them from setting up a bed. Instead, Brazell stripped down to a pair of boxers covered in hearts and Moore wore pajama pants and a skimpy top. The couple kissed periodically while holding pro-vegetarian signs with other supporters. Brazell and Moore are not in a relationship.
Brazell, PETA vegan campaign coordinator, said PETA wants to reach small towns in addition to big cities. The conservative nature of Provo did not worry Brazell or Edwards, who both said the campaign has been well received in other cities.
'We found that even in conservative areas there are very open-minded people,' Brazell said.
Brazell said PETA wishes passing out leaflets would be enough, but the demonstrations are necessary to attract publicity.
'It''s such an attention grabber and definitely something people can relate to,' Edwards said.
Brazell said he has participated in hundreds of demonstrations for various PETA causes, but has never been in trouble with the law. While ten policemen carefully watched the Las Vegas 'Make-out' demonstration, they all came up afterwards and asked for more information, Brazell said.
Edwards, Brazell and Moore are all vegans. Edwards said she was motivated to become a vegan after coming across PETA''s Web site.
'I felt that there was something wrong with eating animals,' Edwards said.
Springville residents Michelle and Mike Kniephof read about the event earlier in the week and came to watch and take a few pictures. The two are not vegetarians. Mike Kniephof said the demonstrators might make him more health conscious but that his love for meat would keep him from ever becoming a vegetarian.
'I don''t think I could do it,' he said. 'I just think is too extreme.'
The event drew modest attention from pedestrians and motorists. Numerous vehicles honked, some people waved and others cheered for vegetarians. Others weren''t in favor of PETA''s message or methods.
'Don''t you guys have jobs?' one heckler asked.
Another man said he thought the demonstrators had way too much time on their hands.
(For comments, e-mail Matt Hodge at matthewhodge@byu.net)