Ben & Jerry’s announces bizarre new policy as part of a pro-gay marriage protest in Australia

Ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s has decided to ban dishes that contain two scoops of the same flavor of ice cream in Australia until the land Down Under legalizes gay marriage.

The ban will be instituted at all 26 Ben & Jerry’s locations in Australia as part of a nationwide campaign to push the Australian parliament to embrace same-sex marriage. Blending flavors, it should be noted, is still permissible.

“Imagine heading down to your local scoop shop to order your favorite two scoops,” the dessert company said in a statement. “But you find out you are not allowed — Ben & Jerry’s has banned two scoops of the same flavor. You’d be furious!

“But this doesn’t even begin to compare to how furious you would be if you were told you were not allowed to marry the person you love,” the statement said.

The company said it is banning dual scoops of the same-flavored ice cream to encourage customers to contact their local lawmakers and urge them to support gay marriage.

Ben & Jerry’s will also be placing small post office boxes on the counters of all 26 Australian stores so customers can drop off a postcard explaining to politicians why they want to see gay marriage legalized.

“Make marriage equality legal! Love comes in all flavors!” the statement read.

Ben & Jerry’s has assured customers that the postcards will be delivered to the lawmakers by June 13, the next time parliament is in session.

According to polling conducted in August 2016, after the country’s latest federal election, a majority of Aussies — 62 percent — expressed support for gay marriage.

Alex Greenwich, chair of the advocacy group Australian Marriage Equality, told The Guardian, “Politicians have a responsibility to reflect this strong support and legislate for marriage equality as soon as possible.”

“This is an issue about people, not politics, and we must remember that this straightforward reform is about families, neighbors, friends and workmates and our shared Australian values of fairness for all,” he said.

Politicians, however, are torn as to how the issue should be voted on. Liberals would like to see a free vote in the parliament while others, including the more conservative lawmakers, want the issue settled with a nationwide plebiscite, or referendum.

Ben & Jerry’s would like to see a free vote in the Parliament because a plebiscite is “an expensive and unnecessary exercise that could endanger the LGBTQI community and wouldn’t even guarantee marriage equality.”