Well, friends, it’s official: get ready to hear “YES on 3!” for the next four months. After Massachusetts’ Supreme Court ruled to allow our farm animal protection measure to proceed to the ballot, the Secretary of State officially declared us to be Question 3.

In other big news this week, the Obama administration announced—in the wake of two HSUS investigations and a legal petition—a major new federal rule banning the slaughter of downer calves.

And in even more political news, bipartisanship may be in short supply in Congress, but there’s one issue bringing folks together: reforming the repulsively corrupt checkoff programs that enrich the factory farming lobby. Well, that’s just what Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and tea party Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced legislation this week to do.

And speaking of factory farms: a major egg company we’ve investigated twice in the last year declared this week that it’s abandoning cage confinement entirely.

Finally, wondering how social progress for farm animals happens? Wayne Pacelle’s got a new piece out explaining just that.

 Video of the week: When your pig walks your cat for you.

As my four-year-old niece would say, “HOORAY FOR EVERYBODY!”

Kinsey, a 17-year-old in New Jersey, came out to her family and they threw her a surprise coming out pride party AND I’M NOT CRYING TEARS OF JOY, YOU ARE. (OK, fine, we both are.)

Kinsey told BuzzFeed News that not only was the party legit wonderful, but it’s been inspiring to other people in their journey to come out. “I love being a part of such a caring and awesome community,” Kinsey said. “The best part is seeing how happy the party has made everyone.”

Oh, and the best best part? Nobody in her family is vegan (except for her brother) but they made all the food vegan because THEY ARE THE MOST WONDERFUL. Yes, you are looking at a magical rainbow cake above and I am totally stealing that idea THANK YOU, KINSEY’S FAMILY.

You guys, life is not totally the worst sometimes. 

If you’re anything like me you approach in flight dining with a feeling of trepidation. Will the airline forget your meal? Will it even be edible? Is that little pack of margarine gonna be chock full of lactose? Because of these worries and my propensity for serious hanger if I have to skip a meal I always board planes with a tote bag full of snacks. Sandwiches. Muffins. A couple of chocolate bars. Hummus stuffed into my liquid bag. You get the idea. It had never crossed my mind that an airline could nail it so superbly that I wouldn’t need to touch a single one of my own snacks but it happened when I flew with JAL.

As soon as the tray was put down in front of me I was reaching for my phone to snap a pic because it looked almost too good to be true. A little sleuthing tells me that JAL consulted with a vegan chef who currently works at Tokyo’s best burger joint, Ain Soph Ripple, because they genuinely care about what vegans eat.

Proudly displaying the VGML sign the meal consisted of a delicious grain filled veggie burger, flavourful rice, bean salad, steamed veggies, pickles, and the icing on the cake, a chocolate brownie with raspberry sauce. Mind. Blown. This meal will have me flying on JAL again faster than you can say hanami season.

Jojo is the British blogger behind vegan travel, food, and lifestyle blog Vegan in Brighton. She’s been travelling since January 2015 and has a can’t stop won’t stop attitude!

You guys! We’re putting on our vegan stretchy pants and vegan sneakers and getting ready for the marathon that is the Los Angeles Vegan Beer & Food Festival today! Please follow us on Snapchat at VEGANSAURUSRAWR (one word) (SNAPCHAT IS NOT JUST FOR YUNG PERVS ANYMORE!) (I have to make that disclaimer because I’m an old perv).

Please excuse me while I go stretch out my tummy so I can house this Vegan Double Down from The Herbivorous Butcher. (Also! Check out The Spooky Vegan’s Top 10 things to try at the fest!!) 

Our BFF, Fat Gay Vegan, is joining forces with Vegan River Cruises for a completely plant-based experience like no other as they journey through the gorgeous French countryside on a motherfuggin’ BOAT! Do want!

It’ll be a 7 night/8 day journey along the ~gorgeous~ Rhône river from Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône in the south of France. Just typing that made me feel like the fanciest lady alive. As a guest aboard this pleasure cruise, you’ll gorge yourself on ~plentiful~ and ~delicious~ vegan food and booze. That’s right: Wine, beer, or cocktails are included in the price! Whaaaaat?!?! There will also be vegan cooking demonstrations so you can return home a culinary titan.

The boat itself is “packed solid with all the latest technology and attractions including private balconies, WiFi, spacious bathrooms, luxurious vegan toiletries, and electric bicycles for on-shore use.” You guys. Come on.

The cruise departs Arles/Tarascon on October 22, 2016 and reaches its destination of Chalon-sur-Saône on October 29, 2016. For more information and to make booking enquires, go here immediately. (Also, if you’d like to subsidize my trip, please let me know. I want to go very, very badly.)