Odd Stories: Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Pro-gay Marriage

Montpelier, Vermont/England - Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s is supporting gay marriage in Britain by repackaging an apple pie flavor as “Apple-y Ever After.”

The Vermont-based subsidiary of the global food and cosmetics conglomerate Unilever is issuing the newly labeled ice cream in the United Kingdom as the British Parliament begins debating legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

When Vermont passed such a law two years ago, the company celebrated by briefly repackaging its “Chubby Hubby” ice cream as “Hubby Hubby.”

Ben & Jerry’s has been involved in progressive political causes since its founding in 1978.

The company’s Liz Stewart says the gender of married spouses matters less than their love and commitment.

Odd Stories: Cops Close in on Party Responsible for Vermont Pig

Odd Stories: People Want to 'Save the Vermont Pig"

Montpelier, Vermont - There is a movement to keep the image of a pig on 30 police cruisers.

The image, which is believed to have been on the cars for several years, was noticed last week by a state trooper while he was washing his car. It's thought the pig was placed on the cow by a prison inmate.

After it was announced that the image would be altered back to its original form, a page called "Save the Vermont Pig" was started on Facebook and gained more than 500 "likes."  At this moment however it seems the page has been removed.

Another issue that came up with the design is with the cow.  State law dictates the cow must be red, not red and white, in tribute to the Devon cattle brought to Vermont by English settlers. Two hundred people have signed an online petition.

Vermont Department of Corrections said last week new decals would be made at a cost of almost $800, but state police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro said so far none of the offending decals were removed.

Washington State May Soon Legalize Gay Marriage

Washington - Washington state may soon be the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage, joining New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont in the move toward granting marriage equality across the country.

In the past Washington had two other laws, a domestic partnership one passed in 2007, and another granting same-sex couples “everything but marriage” in 2009. This however comes as a significant win for movement motivated to giving gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones.

Governor Chris Gregoire in the past expressed her support for the law, which was opposed by people like Ken Huterson, Antioch's Bible Church pastor.

"You are saying as a committee and a Legislature that you know better than God," he said. Opponents' only argument against it seems to be that it “goes against traditional marriage and the Bible,” the standard argument.

Four Republicans, two in the House and two in the Senate, are likely to face the wrath of their more religious conservative base. The National Organization for Marriage stated they will spend approximately 250-thousand dollars against each Republican who dares to vote in favor of the new law. However, it seems that may not matter for much longer.

A University of Washington poll, conducted in October of last year, shows a five-year jump in support for gay marriage from 30 percent to 43 percent. Twenty-two percent say they are in favor of giving the same rights to same-sex couples but not calling it marriage.

When asked about the possibility of voting for a referendum which would repeal the new law, 55 percent said they wouldn't vote for it (47 percent of them saying they are strongly in support of it) while 38 percent said they'd vote for the referendum.

If the bill is passed it would go into effect starting in June.