Tattooed Bouncer Has a Soft Side for Defenseless Animals
For Immediate Release:
May 7, 2012
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Madison, Wis. -- The competition to be named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door is heating up, and 22-year-old Madison resident Eric Benton just may take home the grand prize. He has beaten out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 male contestants to advance to the final round in PETA's contest. Two lucky winners (one male and one female) will each receive a free trip to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
"On average, vegetarians are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters are—and they save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "One look at our radiant finalists proves that there's nothing sexier than kindness."
Benton went vegetarian six years ago after he dissected a fetal pig in biology class. He was disgusted by what he was doing and connected the dead pig to animals killed for meat. He's been vegan for the past two years. Benton credits his healthy and compassionate diet with helping him get fit. Now in great shape, he works as a bouncer for a few local bars and plans to become a high school history teacher. Benton, who's single, enjoys hanging out with his buddies, working out at the gym, and spending time with his dog, whom he adopted from an animal shelter.
To see photos of Benton and the other sexy vegetarian finalists, please click here. The voting—which can be done on PETA's website and by texting—ends on May 14, and the two winners will be announced on May 21.
For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.
Three factors will be considered when PETA chooses the winners: the number of votes received from the public, the enthusiasm demonstrated by the entrants in living and promoting a vegetarian lifestyle, and PETA's assessment of the entrants' attractiveness.
