NORFOLK, Va. – Christopher Garnett has reclaimed his old name.
Garnett, an animal rights activist who gave up his given name to become “Kentucky fried cruelty.com,” was one of three workers at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals who changed their names to PETA Web sites. Two have now returned to their given names.
“I think maybe its time had come and gone,” said Karin Robertson, formerly known as “Goveg.com” until last month.
Robertson led the way, changing her name in March 2003 to get people focused on animal rights and vegetarianism.
Back then, she remembered thinking, “It will be just weird and quirky enough. It will be a lighthearted way to get the message out.”
She got a driver’s license with her new name on it and tucked her court papers in her wallet just in case.
It worked: Web traffic to the site shot up, as did requests for vegetarian starter kits.
Her success inspired others. Last fall, Garnett and Brandi Valladolid went to the courthouse and, with the stroke of a judge’s pen, became “Kentucky fried cruelty.com” and “Ringling beats animals.com.”
“The name said it all,” Valladolid said. “It gave all the information people needed to know.”
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