Google Comes Out Against California's Proposition 8

Search engine behemoth Google does not typically make political endorsements. But it did recently when company cofounder Sergey Brin made a post on a Google blog Friday that stated opposition to Proposition 8, the ballot measure that could take away same-sex marriage rights in California.

Wrote Brin: "As an Internet company, Google is an active participant in policy debates surrounding information access, technology and energy. Because our company has a great diversity of people and opinions -- Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, all religions and no religion, straight and gay -- we do not generally take a position on issues outside of our field, especially not social issues. So when Proposition 8 appeared on the California ballot, it was an unlikely question for Google to take an official company position on.

"However, while there are many objections to this proposition -- further government encroachment on personal lives, ambiguously written text -- it is the chilling and discriminatory effect of the proposition on many of our employees that brings Google to publicly oppose Proposition 8. While we respect the strongly held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality. We hope that California voters will vote no on Proposition 8 -- we should not eliminate anyone's fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry the person they love."

Google is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.

Other media outlets coming out against Proposition 8 include The New York Times, which ran an editorial Monday urging California voters to reject the measure. (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: Rus
Date posted: 2008-11-08 3:01 PM
Hometown: Porltand Oregon

Comment:

Google's statement was pure politics and with no substance. Because if it was real there would be money behind it. And if they said they were a YES on Prop 8 the Liberal media would have a hay day on negative spin. So they give lip service to the liberals... I don't blame them, and since they didn't give any money it's clear they don't believe in gays getting married just like the rest of the decent people in California. It's time to move on and realize that Gays have enough rights. (Actually more because of the free insurance) than the rest of the world... People are sick of gays getting MORE than non Gays and it's clear by this vote... We voted that Marrige in between a man and a woman in Oregon and I'm glad people had enough sense to stop this Minority dictating the majority.

Name: Marc
Date posted: 2008-10-24 3:37 AM
Hometown: Portland, OR

Comment:

You people who base your entire argument on the notion of homosexuality being somehow "abnormal" or "unnatural" because it "does not exist in the animal world" are uninformed. Bruce Bagemihl, Ph.D., published the definitive reference book on homosexuality in nature in his 1999 book "Biological Exuberance". In his review of a hundred of years of notes and research projects by biologists from around the world, covering over 450 different species, he found that, not only is homosexuality and bisexuality unexceptional and common in the animal kingdom, it is the de-facto "lifestyle" standard in many of the species genetically closest to our own. So if this imaginary fact of a heterosexual animal world forms the cornerstone of your beliefs, you'd do well to find a better fact. The straightforward admission of your hatred, fear and prejudice would probably suit your arguments better as you can at least avoid looking completely foolish by misrepresenting well-known facts and observations.

Name: Harriet
Date posted: 2008-10-24 2:50 AM
Hometown: Kennewick

Comment:

I am bitterly disappointed that Google would take a stand against the time-honored, and generation proven marriage between a man and a woman-- PERIOD!!! Gays have rights like heterosexuals, but traditional marriage with husband, wife, and children is the FUNDAMENTAL unit of society. For this unit to be replaced will bring upon our nation and world calamities which have never before been seen in the world's history. Gay marriage is NOT a replacement, substitute, or in any way a mirror image of the traditional marriage. True happiness in family life can only be achieved by sustained respect, reverence, and adherence to principles found only in the traditional marriage. I'm bitterly disappointed that google has taken a stand. I've lost my respect for this search engine, and will look elsewhere for my gateway to the internet. Harriet

Name: Linda
Date posted: 2008-10-23 4:33 AM
Hometown: Santee

Comment:

Honestly, I've been bisexual and been in the gay scene and I still vote yes on Prop 8. Why? because I am a mom now, and although it is fine that gay people want to be accepted more, children who are innocent need not be exposed to the idea of same-sex marriage. They are so easily influenced and absorb things like a sponge, I don't think it is fair to kids to have to know about that from an early age. In the bible there was Adam and Eve not Adam and Adam. 'Course, I just started reading the bible and was never religious to begin with. There are those who decide that same-sex is the way for them. Gay, staight, we are all human, but what is natural to us as humans is our role in procreation. Animals procreate; rarely are there gay animals, and if there were, they wouldn't be flaunting it. A man and woman are supposed to make children, which is why we are here. Anything else is companionship and lust. Being gay is a choice, but it is not the most natural of choices.

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