Ben & Jerry Support N.Y. Marriage Equality

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of ice cream makers Ben & Jerry’s, have voiced their support for legalizing marriage equality in New York by recording a video for the Human Rights Campaign’s New Yorkers for Marriage Equality series.

Watch the 30-second video below:

With the end of the legislative session on June 20 fast approaching, it is thought that marriage equality advocates Gov. Andrew Cuomo and a bipartisan coalition of voices are preparing to make their move and introduce or advance legislation to make New York the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage.

While a majority of Democrats are known to support the bill, Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz has been vehemently opposed while three other Democratic senators remain undecided. Republican support will also be needed to pass the conservative-controlled chamber.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a senate Republican spokesperson has revealed that Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who is against the legislation but has said he will not block it from coming to the floor, will discuss the issue with his members at a conference meeting this week.

A recent survey by Gannett’s Albany Bureau suggests that the fate of gay marriage in New York rides on how eight as yet undecided senators vote if and when a measure comes to the floor in the Senate. Support in the House remains steady and no trouble is anticipated in the lower chamber. Read more here.

A Quinnipiac poll released in the last few weeks confirms record support for marriage equality in the state at 58% of respondents favoring marriage equality. Previous polls have also suggested 58% support marriage equality in the state.

For previous coverage of efforts to legalize marriage equality in New York, please click here.

Image taken from the HRC video under fair use terms, no infringement intended.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Past Member .

8:25PM PDT on Apr 11, 2012

I'm buying ice cream after work tomorrow! Hurrah!

send a green star

Pat L.

4:37AM PDT on Apr 6, 2012

It's always great to see people like Ben and Jerry, who have run their company compassionately and treated their employees fairly, speak publicly in favor of legalizing marriage equality in New York. Several years ago my husband and I visited their ice cream plant and were amazed by the wonderful way it was run. These guys became successful by sticking to their principles and respecting people. It's no surprise they back the Human Rights Campaign.

Lisa S.

6:23AM PST on Jan 13, 2012

Showing my support to the cause by buying the product, which as it happens, is ice-cream. Win/win?

Allan Y.

10:55AM PDT on Jun 22, 2011

I'm not surprised they have not endorsed this cause long ago.

Judith C.

9:32AM PDT on Jun 19, 2011

Way to go!

David M.

6:13AM PDT on Jun 15, 2011

Ben and Jerry are great guys. Capitalists who care about their fellow Americans and know that maximizing profits might be what corporations are designed to do but as human beings they recognize other priorities!

Lynne B.

3:14AM PDT on Jun 15, 2011

Thank you Ben and Jerry for vocalising your support.

Olga L.

10:03PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Grerat job!!!

Norma V.

9:47PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Way to go, Ben and Jerry.

Vivianne M.

4:15PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Good going there Ben and Jerry.
Thank you for your support for people living good lives with out fear.
And your ice cream is good also. :) he he