Ben & Jerry's Welcomes Vermont Gay Marriage Law With "Hubby Hubby" Flavor

September 1, 2009 8:09 a.m. EST

Montpelier, VT (AHN) - Apparently not worried over conservatives who may be ice cream lovers, Ben & Jerry's is celebrating the enactment of Vermont's gay marriage law by renaming its popular "Chubby Hubby" flavor to "Hubby Hubby" throughout the month of September.

Vermont became the fourth state to allow gay marriages in April, when state lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriages. The legislation began taking effect at midnight on Tuesday.

"At the core of Ben & Jerry's values, we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to," Ben & Jerry's Chief Executive Officer Walt Freese said in a statement. "From the very beginning of our 30 year history, we have supported equal rights for all people. The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction and something worth celebrating with peace, love and plenty of ice cream."

The Vermont-based company, which has a tradition of social activism, early this year marked the transition to a new White House administration by renaming its butter pecan flavor to mimic the popular campaign slogan of President Barack Obama, "Yes Pecan!"

December last year, Ben & Jerry's created a sundae to honor Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) The lawmaker, the only Democrat from Vermont to be elected to the U.S. Senate, became state's longest-serving senator that month, having served 34 years.