Everyone has a reason for eating or not eating something. Taste usually has a lot to do with it. But there are also other reasons: She made it for me, he bought it, it's in my culture, it's easy to make, it's healthy. Vegetarians and vegans add on "it doesn't make an animal suffer".
I am vegan because of my overwhelming compassion for animals. I spent years disconnected from that because of convenience. It would be a hassle to make separate meals, always having to read labels, always being aware, not being out to go out like normal. And honestly I was right. It is damn hard sometimes being vegan. But my reason makes it worth it. It reminds me why I am putting in the effort and makes it easier to not just throw up my hands, say "I quit" and hop over to Jack in the Box.
Not every veg*n is an animal rights activist though. I know* many who just don't like meat. Others do it for their health. I even know a couple who started out because it was the trendy thing to do. A lot of veg*ns have converted for convenience because their significant other at the time was/is veg*n. (Funny how it's the opposite of what I did.) One of my good friends even went vegetarian for a college bet and decided he didn't mind it.
Is there a right reason for being vegan? No, I don't think so. But it's not the reason that is important, it's the action. Regardless of the whys, you are not taking part in animal suffering. And that is the right thing.
*By know, I mean online. I only know a handful of veg*ns outside of the computer.
A good vegetarian friend of mine says that his reason for veg*n was simply that he was raised that way.
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