Ben & Jerry's stirs up a batch of Engagement Party to support Marriage Equality in Ireland

1 Jul 2013

First, in the USA, Chubby Hubby became Hubby Hubby; then Oh My! Apple Pie! became Apple-y Ever After in the UK; and now, Ireland gets its very own marriage equality ice cream flavour as Ben & Jerry’s renames its popular Mint Chocolate Chunk ice cream flavour to ‘EngageMint Party’! 

News Release

Ben & Jerry’s stirs up a batch of EngageMint Party to support Marriage Equality in Ireland

Ben & Jerry’s is symbolically renaming its popular Mint Chocolate Chunk ice cream flavour to ‘EngageMint Party’, tourge members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to support equal marriage rights in Ireland.  It all started when Ben & Jerry’s proposed to equal marriage rights advocate, Marriage Equality, and now the two have joined hands to encourage the deliberating TDs & Senators that it’s time to say yes to marriage equality for same-sex couples. Ben & Jerry’s will scoop free samples of EngageMint Party at select events in Ireland this summer.

Since 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has been known for its euphoric flavours and dedication to social justice. With the introduction of ‘EngageMint Party’, Ben & Jerry’s hopes to raise awareness of the importance of the equality issue this summer as members of the Government set the date to tackle the question of Ireland entering into a referendum on equal marriage rights. In 2009, Ben & Jerry’s successfully renamed its legenDAIRY US flavour, Chubby Hubby to Hubby Hubby and just last year, renamed Oh My! Apple Pie! to Apple-y Ever After in the UK. 

Jerry Greenfield, Co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, said: ‘Our company has always been proud to speak out for social justice – and we believe everyone deserves the right to marry the one they love.So we’re really excited to be working with Marriage Equality in this campaign to help achieve marriage equality in Ireland.” 

Launched in 2008, Marriage Equality is a national, not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and their children in Ireland through access to civil marriage. With supporters across the country, Marriage Equality has made significant impact on public and political opinion in relation to the issue, through a combination of media and communications, research and policy, advocacy and lobbying work. 

Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality comments, “We are excited that Ben & Jerry’s is supporting us to raise public awareness about the need for marriage equality in Ireland. This joint campaign is calling for the Irish Government to set a date for a referendum as soon as possible. Ireland is ready for marriage equality! 74% of Irish people want to change the law so that loving, committed same-sex couples and families can enjoy the same protection as any other married couple or family.” 

Fans can take action to show their support by writing to their local TD, addressing the importance of equal rights in Ireland by downloading a handy letter template at www.MarriagEquality.ie/action or by visiting www.BenJerry.ie/EngageMintParty. Followers on Twitter can tweet their support for the campaign with Ben & Jerry’s #EngageMintParty hashtag, to encourage the Irish government to put a ring on it and support marriage equality for same-sex couples in Ireland. 

Ben & Jerry’s EngageMint Party ice cream will be available at select events in Ireland this summer. 

Join the EngageMint Party at #EngageMintParty | @BenandJerrysIRL |Benjerry.ie/EngageMintParty. 

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact Eimear@thinkhouse.ie | 014200070

About Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA, by childhood friends who dedicated themselves to peace, love and ice cream.  They soon became popular in the local community for their innovative flavours, made from fresh Vermont milk and cream and large chunks and swirls. Today Ben & Jerry’s operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community.www.benjerry.ie 

Contacts:

Sarah Hogan, European Marketing Manager  

Andy Barker, Social Mission Specialist     

About Marriage Equality 

Marriage Equality is a not for profit, single issue, national grassroots advocacy organisation whose goal is to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ireland through the extension of civil marriage rights to same-sex couples. Marriage Equality's vision is of an Ireland in which same sex couples, families and children enjoy equality.  In April 2013 the Constitutional Convention voted by 79% to recommend to Government to provide for equal access to civil marriage for same sex couples in the constitution. This campaign aims to make sure this recommendation is acted upon as soon as possible.

In order to realise this vision, Marriage Equality's mission is to achieve equal access to civil marriage for same sex couples in Ireland.

http://www.marriagequality.ie | Marriage Equality Facebook | @marriagequality