For anyone paying attention…well, really for anyone as it has been impossible to miss, this has been a great month for equality. First, the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City was officially declared a historic landmark. The Stonewall Inn was a famous, or in some eyes infamous, bar that served as the center of the LGBTQ community in 1960s. In 1969, it served as the spark that lit the firework of the modern gay rights movement when a vicious police raid was responded to with organizing, protesting, and even violent riots. It was the first time in American history that the LGBTQ community rallied together and decided that enough was enough.
Then, almost a week later, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that officially recognizes and makes legal same sex marriage in every state across the country. Despite popular support (recent polls put support for same sex marriage at between 60 and 70%), several states were holding out on issuing marriage licenses for same sex couples, with some going so far as to deny legal marriages from other states. The case, Obergefell v. Hodges, centered around a man from Ohio who sought nothing more than to be listed as a surviving spouse on his deceased husband’s death certificate. In a 5 – 4 ruling, the court sided with Obergefell, and made equality in marriage the law of the land.
Of course, being a food blog, as happy as we are that the US has come yet another step closer to equality and justice for all, we have to tie it into something edible, right? Say no more, as we present – Ben & Jerry’s! In honor of the monumental ruling, they’ve renamed fan-favorite “Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough” to “I Dough, I Dough”. The pun might be a little bit weak, but we’re happy to share the sentiment! Of course, this isn’t the first time a B&J flavor has had a temporary renaming in honor of marriage equality. In 2009, the company renamed ever-popular “Chubby Hubby” to “Hubby Hubby” to celebrate their home state of Vermont legalizing same-sex marriage. And if you want to go back even further, in 1989 they were the first company to offer full benefits to same-sex domestic partnerships in the US.
The new limited-edition tubs of “I Dough, I Dough” will only be available from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Scoop Shops, or by mail order from the Human Rights Campaign website here.
Congratulations, and best wishes to anyone who can now tie the knot legally. We wish you all the best, and many happy years together!
