Politicians say the darnedest things, and a number of them are saying that the issue of marriage equality isn’t important to their constituents as they receive few phone calls on the topic.
So Ben & Jerry’s and Australian Marriage Equality www.australianmarriageequality.org set out to show them who cares. The campaign, #EqualityCalling, is fiendishly simple. And the idea is an Australian first. It allows voters who support marriage equality to record a message that will be automatically delivered to their federal representatives (MPS and senators) by and highlighted on social media. It is part of Ben & Jerry’s ongoing “Say I DOugh” campaign for marriage equality with Australian Marriage Equality.
Wendy Harmer’s voice was chosen to guide callers to record their message and introduces the calls that are phoned through to politicians’ offices – all in her characteristically light-hearted and humorous way.
Ben & Jerry’s will unveil the Say I DOugh #EqualityCalling phone box, an iconic London phone box, at Mardi Gras’ famous Fair Day on Sunday 22 February – with a difference. It has been given a Mardi Gras makeover. The rainbow coloured, glitter bombed phone box will be used as a highly visual symbol to rally people to unite in support of Marriage Equality and have their voices heard by their MPs and representatives.
Those unable to attend Fair Day can still have their say and leave their messages of support by calling 1300 663 679.
Ban & Jerry’s is also renaming its world famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream to ‘I DOugh, I DOugh’ so fans can also show their support at scoop shops across the country.
Australian Marriage Equality is a non-profit organisation formed in 2004 to campaign against then proposed amendments to the Marriage Act that entrench marriage as only between a man and a woman. It has a long-standing relationship with Ben & Jerry’s that has had a like-minded attitude to life since it began: “Ben & Jerry’s aims to make the best possible ice cream, in the nicest possible way. Using business as a tool for social and environmental change is just as important as sourcing the finest ingredients to make ice cream.”
Kalli Swaik, Ben & Jerry’s brand champion down udder, commented, “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 celebrate their commitment to each other in marriage, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
“To make marriage equality a reality in Australia, we need to make our collective community’s voices heard and that is exactly what our Equality Calling hotline will do. We hope that MPs will listen to their constituents on the importance of marriage equality when the Marriage Equality conscience vote is called later this year. We believe 2015 is the year we can create change.”
Rodney Croome, Australian Marriage Equality national director, added, “Polls show 72% of Australians support marriage equality and this exciting initiative will help convey that high level of popular support from the towns and suburbs of Australia directly into parliament.
“Equality Calling gives marriage equality supporters a quick and easy way to reach all their federal representatives and it gives us a way to publicly highlight the substantial number of contacts politicians are receiving from constituents.”
