Google has long been a champion of LGBT+ events during Pride month, facilitating numerous occasions for employees and the public. The latest is a drag show event dubbed "Pride and Drag Show," featuring performer Peaches Christ, intended to conclude this year's festivities at the popular LGBT+ bar Beaux in San Francisco.
However, following resistance from a contingent of employees, Google has made a discreet step back, erasing the performance from its internal events listings, as per internal discussions reported by CNBC.
Several hundred staff protested Google, alleging the company discriminated against their religion by supporting a performance they perceived as sexualized and irreverent. The petitioning employees reported their concerns to People Operations and the human resources department, contending that the event breached Google's event policy, prohibiting the sexually explicit activity. They further sought an apology from the organization.
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"Their provocative and inflammatory artistry is considered a direct affront to the religious beliefs and sensitivities of Christians," the petition expressed regarding the performance.
June 29, 2023
Reacting to the situation, Google has planned a different event at its premises, advising employees to participate while asserting that they can still attend the drag show.
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Several employees who support the LGBT+ event rebuked Google for yielding to the backlash, alleging that their Christian co-workers were inciting a political culture war.
Google confirmed to CNBC that the company no longer recognizes the drag performance as a "Google-recognized diversity, equity and inclusion event."
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"Although the event organizers have shifted the official team event onsite, the performance will go on at the planned venue — and it's open to the public, so employees can still attend," Google spokesperson Chris Pappas informed CNBC.
Pappas also clarified that the drag performance was planned "without going through our standard events process." He affirmed Google's long-standing pride in celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community, regularly featuring drag artists in their Pride celebrations, including this year.
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