A trans model from Utah and lesbian nurse from Virginia are finalists this year in PETA’s annual "Sexiest Vegan Next Door" contest

The two vocal LGBTQ and animal rights activists beat out hundreds of entrants from across the country to advance to the final round of 20 contestants, who are vying for bragging rights and a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

Salt Lake City resident Chancellor Rose Partington, a runway model, is the first trans model to sign with the agency representing him. He also works in client services at an animal hospital.

"What was done to the Jewish people from whom I descend is the same horrific treatment endured by nonhuman animals today," says Partington, whose grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. "My grandfather's tremendous courage gave me life. I see it as my moral duty and honor to dedicate it in service to those less fortunate."

"Our existence is the resistance," he writes on Instagram. "Our flourishing is the rebellion."

Jasmine Nakasone, a licensed vocational nurse, also runs a vegan lifestyle blog. She lives in Chesterfield with her wife, their daughter, and two adopted dogs.

"I fight for equality for all and my hope is that I inspire you to be a better version of yourself," Nakasone writes. "I believe if you don't have equality in one aspect of society, then you can't expect it anywhere else. That's what a vegan lifestyle is about for me—a way to help make sure everyone is treated right, including animals."

"Both of these passionate vegans are committed to standing up for justice—for everyone," says PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman in a statement. "All the finalists in PETA's Sexiest Vegan Next Door contest prove that there's nothing sexier than making the world a kinder place."

Voting on these finalists ends May 13; winners will be announced May 20.