Ben & Jerry's and National Center for Transgender Equality Launch Multi-State Billboard Campaign to Support Trans Youth in the Face of Anti-Trans Legislation

BURLINGTON, Vt., June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of a recent spate of hateful, anti-trans legislation in states across the nation, Ben & Jerry's has launched a billboard campaign to stand in solidarity with trans youth and their families who have been targeted by the latest wave of attempted new laws. In partnership with the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), the billboards are targeting four states: Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia, all of which have introduced anti-trans legislation in recent months. The message on the billboards, placed within each state's capital, reads "We Stand with Trans Youth and Those Who Love Them."

"At a time when many politicians are criminalizing access to health care for trans youth — in addition to other efforts to marginalize them — we felt it important to make a public stand in support for them and their friends and families. We see them, we hear them, we stand with them," said Maroni Minter, US Activism Manager for Ben & Jerry's. "After years and years of progress in the LGBTQ+ and trans community, this wave of regressive legislation is trying to take us backwards not forward. In the face of this reality, it is more important than ever that we not remain silent."

This initiative, launching May 23^rd, is part of Ben & Jerry's ongoing body of work around advancing justice for those in the LGBTQ+ community, and is in collaboration with their long-time partner, the National Center for Transgender Equality, who have asked for businesses to stand up loudly and clearly in support of the trans community at this time.

"Through no fault of their own, transgender youth are under attack by some of the most powerful people in the states where they live," said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the NCTE. "Transgender kids deserve to be seen, to be loved, and to be treated with respect. These laws will cause tremendous pain to many families, and even worse, they give permission to other people to harass and discriminate against transgender people. There will be lasting consequences on young people and their families, who are all just trying to live their lives. These laws are mean, hateful, and aimed directly at kids. We are grateful to Ben & Jerry's for standing with transgender young people and their families, and for reminding us all that we are not alone."

On top of the four states included in the campaign, 31 other states have seen legislative activity that seeks to marginalize the transgender community, most specifically designed to affect trans youth. Additionally, Ben & Jerry's will also be placing a newspaper ad in their home state of Vermont. The state has been dealing with its own spate of anti-LGBTQ+ activity, including the recent murder of a trans woman, vandalism of a local LGBTQ+ community center, and hateful messages targeting local school staff for hosting workshops about gender equity.

About Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's is an aspiring social justice company that believes in a greater calling than simply making and selling the world's best ice cream. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and Non-Dairy/vegan desserts using high-quality ingredients and lots of big chunks and swirls. As a certified B Corp, Ben & Jerry's incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices via values-led sourcing initiatives when purchasing ingredients. Ben & Jerry's is distributed in over 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Scoop Shops, and via on-demand delivery services. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, a fair financial return, and addressing issues of social, racial, and environmental injustice around the globe. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation, guided by Ben & Jerry's employees, granted $3.7MM in 2021 to support progressive, justice-focused grassroots organizing around the country. For up-to-date information visit benjerry.com. 

SOURCE Ben & Jerry's