From my experience the words vegetarian and vegan seem to really turn many people off. When you explain that you are vegan they'll be concerned for your health and if you justify the choice it will strengthen their opinion that you're depriving yourself, have lost your mind and will wither away and die if you don't snap out of it. This negativity will affect how they feel about any food you bring to share as well.
However, one handy fact is that pretty much any animal product has cholesterol and pretty much everyone agrees cholesterol is bad for you. So if you say you are avoiding cholesterol and transfat, eating more vegetables and fruit and feel great they will respect you and not have a negative association with eating the food you bring.
I agree you should go all out and make several delicious dishes to impress. You can politely state their dishes look delicious so they're feelings aren't hurt, but you are on a special diet. I would suggest not bringing anything with imitation meats or tofu. And don't use the words vegan or vegetarian unless you want to spark a debate.
It seems vegans I know use these times as oportunities to educate people. If you reach a few, it may be worth the sacrifice. However I think a subtle approach that gets people to enjoy your vegan dishes would probably be better. It is fun though to ask the children, "so is the dead animal on your plate tasty?" Especially when they then ask their parents, "Are you going to eat me when I die?"
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