Fans Can Help PETA Pick a Winner by Voting for Their Favorites on PETA Prime's Website
For Immediate Release:
October 6, 2011
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Nutley, N.J. -- What do Prince, Sir Paul McCartney, and Ellen DeGeneres have in common? Besides their enduring star power, they're all sexy vegetarians who just happen to be over 50. Their sizzling example is what inspired PETA to expand its popular series of Sexiest Vegetarian contests to include the over-50 set. After receiving hundreds of entries from across the U.S. for its 2011 Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 contest, PETA has narrowed the field down to six men and six women—and 50-year-old Nutley, N.J., resident Joe Dwyer is among the finalists. The contest is sponsored by PETA Prime—a resource for baby boomers on how to live a healthy, humane, and rewarding life.
"Unlike many of their peers who are on medication for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and impotence, older vegetarians tend to be slim and healthy—and that makes them sexier too," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "One look at our radiant finalists and it's clear that their vegetarian diets have already made all of them winners."
Dwyer went vegetarian after reading about the cruelty of factory farming. And despite the fact that he was harassed about it at his former job, it only strengthened his resolve: "I don't believe that eating meat is what makes you a man," he says. "It's your ability to show your strength by speaking out for what you believe in, no matter what the cost." Dwyer's pride and joy is his beloved dog, Shelby, whom he rescued from a shelter, and he's currently working on establishing a support network for people who are grieving following the loss of an animal companion.
Dwyer's photo and bio—along with profiles of the other herbivorous hunks and vegetarian vixens who were selected as finalists—are available at PETAPrime.org. Voting to help PETA determine the winners will end October 17 at 12 noon ET. Two winners (one female and one male) will be announced on October 24. Winners will be decided based on four factors: the finalists' total number of votes, their enthusiasm in promoting their entry, their potential to reach a large audience, and PETA's assessment of their physical attractiveness. Each winner will receive a $125 gift certificate toward a purchase from PETA's catalog merchandise as well as a copy of Michael Feinstein's American Songbook DVD package.
For more information and to vote to help PETA choose the winners of the contest, please visit PETAPrime.org.