[Update: I went on Facebook Live to discuss the below, and answer any questions. You can watch that video here.] There have been a number of rumors spreading through the animal rights community in the last few weeks, in a fashion that has drastically affected the work that I and others at The Simple Heart and Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) are doing for animals.
It is unbelievable that you have to disclose all of your personal history like this ....wow.....we need you here....the animals need you more....Shame on these people that betray and that have nothing better to do !
I'm so sorry this is all happening, Wayne. It's ironic that so many women are hurt in the name of "protecting women." Having their own narratives stolen and twisted, denying them agency to make the value judgments of what they want from romantic relationships, and most incredibly, denying that they could have the power and drive to rescue animals or be members of DXE Core or get into law school without impressing a man....these are just some of the violences done to women by these rumors. That's not even taking into account the mothers and daughters languishing in farms right now! Thank you for your transparency.
By the way, I've been telling people recently that I consider you in the same league as Nelson Mandela, MLK and even Gandhi. You're not perfect (who is?), but you have a rare courage, integrity, authenticity and transparency, which I appreciate and find inspiring.
Wayne so sorry you have to be dealing with all of this. I agree with the others though shame on all those individuals that cause this sort of damage & please don't leave the movement the animals and we need you !.... I live in Texas and where I am the community (activism) has been very divisive and it's disheartening but no matter I and another activist here keep showing up .... sending much love and light your way!
You are absolutely right, Wayne. Rumors threaten our efforts to help animals and in fact cost lives. Thank you for the many innocent lives you have saved and are saving. Brian Field
Wayne, I’m so sorry you had to write this. As always, I admire your integrity and your dedication to transparency. You have nothing to apologize for — hardworking social justice warriors should be allowed to have a personal life and look for love. Don’t despair for the movement or for your dreams of having a human family someday. You’ll get through this. I support you 100%.
Wayne, what madness is this that you should be put in the position of having to share personal info just to quell unfounded rumours. I support you and am so grateful for what you have done for the animals. However, I do believe that some people come to AR organizations for the wrong reasons and thus create unecessary drama ans chaos. All of this that you are going through fractures the cohesiveness that is very much needed in AR. Hang in there man.
Wayne, we all stand with you. Please never stop fighting for these innocent animals! You inspire the world every minute of the day. You are their heroes and ours. #iStandByWayneHsiung
This behavior by people in the AR movement, sadly, does not surprise me. It's one of the reasons I essentially left the AR movement and moved onto trying to convince people to stop eating animals for health reasons (people are essentially self centered anyway and many of them don't have the capacity to care for anyone other than themselves). While I am and always will be an ethical vegan, I have witnessed the infighting and unrelenting drama that knows no end in the AR movement and even animal welfare movement and have refocused my strategy on helping animals in my work as a Nurse Practitioner now. I know it is cowardly to change strategies but I was so worn down by the bickering, I chose the path of least resistance. My faith in humanity is essentially gone at this point. I am sorry to be so dismal, but I can't fake optimism anymore. Especially after activists called the police on fellow activisits. It doesn't get any lower than that.
I see a future where humans will become extinct and all other life comes back and flourishes in our absence- while this makes me sad, it also brings me peace.
I have known you Wayne, for years now and it is so absurd to me that you felt compelled to divulge this personal information of yours to the public in light of the recent events. Shame on the people who are responsible for putting you in this position. Because you are who you are, people are always going to try to tear you down. They will never stop. And while I do not want you to leave the AR movement, I also feel like you deserve some peace. You deserve to have that family that you want (although the future is fucked so I don't understand why anyone would bring a child into this world right now) however, it is your choice and I respect that. My point being, you deserve pure happiness and love and at some point, you should allow yourself the time in your life to focus on that. You have given more to the AR movement than anyone I know. The animal abusing facilities want nothing more than to see you leave because your presence is a major threat to them- I would hate to give them that satisfaction but at the same time, I don't want this movement to destroy you. Take a few years off and focus on yourself. You deserve it. You have established such a strong foundation of amazing people at DXE- they will continue to push the AR agenda forward.
Whatever you do, I will always love and respect you my friend. You are one of the few good ones out there. <3
Dear Wayne, You have painfully written your intimate details of your sexual experience. Your extraordinary candor has served as a catalyst for knowledge about sexual behavior. You are contributing greatly, in a way that illuminates basic social change. Bravo!
It is unbelievable that you have to disclose all of your personal history like this ....wow.....we need you here....the animals need you more....Shame on these people that betray and that have nothing better to do !
Wayne -you are supported! Don’t even consider leaving animal rights, you are very much needed.
I'm so sorry this is all happening, Wayne. It's ironic that so many women are hurt in the name of "protecting women." Having their own narratives stolen and twisted, denying them agency to make the value judgments of what they want from romantic relationships, and most incredibly, denying that they could have the power and drive to rescue animals or be members of DXE Core or get into law school without impressing a man....these are just some of the violences done to women by these rumors. That's not even taking into account the mothers and daughters languishing in farms right now! Thank you for your transparency.
Wayne, you have my support, as always, 100%. You don't deserve what you're going through - at all! (signed, Geno Maurillo)
I support you, Wayne.💙 Sorry that you have to share such personal information.
By the way, I've been telling people recently that I consider you in the same league as Nelson Mandela, MLK and even Gandhi. You're not perfect (who is?), but you have a rare courage, integrity, authenticity and transparency, which I appreciate and find inspiring.
Wayne so sorry you have to be dealing with all of this. I agree with the others though shame on all those individuals that cause this sort of damage & please don't leave the movement the animals and we need you !.... I live in Texas and where I am the community (activism) has been very divisive and it's disheartening but no matter I and another activist here keep showing up .... sending much love and light your way!
Thank you for all your incredible work, Wayne. The animals and animal rights movement are lucky to have you 🙏
Wayne, I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. It breaks my heart. 💔💕❤️
You are absolutely right, Wayne. Rumors threaten our efforts to help animals and in fact cost lives. Thank you for the many innocent lives you have saved and are saving. Brian Field
Posting to name my support. Thank you for your transparency and I am very sad that people are treating you with such a lack of goodwill.
Wayne, I’m so sorry you had to write this. As always, I admire your integrity and your dedication to transparency. You have nothing to apologize for — hardworking social justice warriors should be allowed to have a personal life and look for love. Don’t despair for the movement or for your dreams of having a human family someday. You’ll get through this. I support you 100%.
Wayne, what madness is this that you should be put in the position of having to share personal info just to quell unfounded rumours. I support you and am so grateful for what you have done for the animals. However, I do believe that some people come to AR organizations for the wrong reasons and thus create unecessary drama ans chaos. All of this that you are going through fractures the cohesiveness that is very much needed in AR. Hang in there man.
Wayne, we all stand with you. Please never stop fighting for these innocent animals! You inspire the world every minute of the day. You are their heroes and ours. #iStandByWayneHsiung
I agree with Priya - I suspect a smear campaign.
This behavior by people in the AR movement, sadly, does not surprise me. It's one of the reasons I essentially left the AR movement and moved onto trying to convince people to stop eating animals for health reasons (people are essentially self centered anyway and many of them don't have the capacity to care for anyone other than themselves). While I am and always will be an ethical vegan, I have witnessed the infighting and unrelenting drama that knows no end in the AR movement and even animal welfare movement and have refocused my strategy on helping animals in my work as a Nurse Practitioner now. I know it is cowardly to change strategies but I was so worn down by the bickering, I chose the path of least resistance. My faith in humanity is essentially gone at this point. I am sorry to be so dismal, but I can't fake optimism anymore. Especially after activists called the police on fellow activisits. It doesn't get any lower than that.
I see a future where humans will become extinct and all other life comes back and flourishes in our absence- while this makes me sad, it also brings me peace.
I have known you Wayne, for years now and it is so absurd to me that you felt compelled to divulge this personal information of yours to the public in light of the recent events. Shame on the people who are responsible for putting you in this position. Because you are who you are, people are always going to try to tear you down. They will never stop. And while I do not want you to leave the AR movement, I also feel like you deserve some peace. You deserve to have that family that you want (although the future is fucked so I don't understand why anyone would bring a child into this world right now) however, it is your choice and I respect that. My point being, you deserve pure happiness and love and at some point, you should allow yourself the time in your life to focus on that. You have given more to the AR movement than anyone I know. The animal abusing facilities want nothing more than to see you leave because your presence is a major threat to them- I would hate to give them that satisfaction but at the same time, I don't want this movement to destroy you. Take a few years off and focus on yourself. You deserve it. You have established such a strong foundation of amazing people at DXE- they will continue to push the AR agenda forward.
Whatever you do, I will always love and respect you my friend. You are one of the few good ones out there. <3
Dear Wayne, You have painfully written your intimate details of your sexual experience. Your extraordinary candor has served as a catalyst for knowledge about sexual behavior. You are contributing greatly, in a way that illuminates basic social change. Bravo!