Hi Siminglyreal,
I am very happy you became a vegetarian! I am doing the same, for health reasons (but also I am happy to know it will contribute to reduce cruelty towards animals) In our countries veganism is not understood, although more and more people are getting aware about it. I have joined some Facebook pages on veganism from Brazil (I love Portuguese and Brazil, it is a beautiful country, IMO). In my extended family, we have 3 vegans and the rest of it sometimes makes fun of the vegan, although they are more accepting lastly. OK, hope you can continue with your vegetarianism despite the criticism from your family, vegetarianism is the future