Progressive ice cream makers Ben & Jerry team up with Australian Marriage Equality

On 22 August 2013, euphoric ice-cream creators and social justice campaigners Ben & Jerry’s announced a partnership with equal rights organisation Australian Marriage Equality (AME) to pledge support of same-sex marriage in Australia.

To celebrate, Ben & Jerry’s is renaming iconic ice cream flavour Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to ‘I DOugh, I DOugh’ and building a giant wedding cake at Pitt Street Mall, which members of the public will be invited to ascend in a demonstration of support for marriage equality.

Equal rights lovers can join the cause at sayidough.com which will provide important campaign information and link through to Australian Marriage Equality’s Vote4Love website – informing Australians on how to make their vote count this September.

Kalli Swaik, Ben & Jerry’s  Brand Champion  Down Udder  said:  “As a social justice company, we’re immensely proud to support an issue that embodies so many of our core values. We champion equality above all else, believing that everyone in a loving relationship should be able to mark their commitment to each other in marriage,  regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”

“Marriage equality won’t be decided by one party or leader, but together our collective voices can make a huge difference to equal rights in Australia. We’re thrilled to be working with Australian Marriage Equality in the run up to September’s election, hopefully making 2013 Australia’s last marriage equality election”

Ivan Hinton,  Deputy Director for  Australian Marriage Equality  Chairperson, said: “Ben & Jerry’s have a great history of commitment to social justice and have worked tirelessly to champion equality globally since their inception. We’re very happy to be working with them to raise awareness about the importance of marriage equality and to ensure people have the information they need to vote for love.”

Since the company’s very beginning 35 years ago, Ben & Jerry’s has been an advocate for equal rights regardless of sexual orientation.  In 1989 they were one of the first companies in the US to extend full benefits to unmarried partners of their employees, including same-sex partners.

In 2009 the legendary flavour Chubby Hubby was renamed ‘Hubby Hubby’ to celebrate gay marriage legalisation in Ben & Jerry’s home state of Vermont, USA.  Most recently in 2012, Ben & Jerry’s in the UK launched ‘Apple-y Ever After’ to support the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the UK.

Australian Marriage Equality (AME) is a national, membership-based organisation working for equal marriage rights for all Australians regardless of their gender or sexuality.  AME has members and supporters from across Australia and overseas and, like Ben & Jerry’s, believe that a person’s gender or sexuality should not affect their legal rights and responsibilities under Australian marriage law.

As a membership-based organisation, AME relies entirely on the generosity of its members and other supporters in the community. AME has also launched their election campaign website, ‘Vote4Love’ – which aims to help Australians make more considered choices when it comes to voting for equality.

For more information visit www.sayidough.com or like Ben & Jerry’s Facebook page to join them saying ‘I DOugh!’ to marriage equality in Australia!