Category: Technology Author : Duncan Riley Posted: September 26, 2008
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Google comes out against Proposition 8


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Google, well known for its fence sitting on most political issues, has come out against California Proposition 8, an Act if passed that would see same sex marriage made illegal in California.

In a post to the Google Blog, founder Sergey Brin notes that while Google does not generally take a position on issues outside the tech field, especially not social issues, it felt the need to do so here:

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.

It’s a first for Google and a move that will be widely welcomed in the tech, liberal and GLBT communities. However, you’d think that Google is hoping for an Obama win in November, because all the fence sitting of the past means nothing now that Google has come out against the Christian right, the core constituency of the Republican Party.

Update: the vote has been taken and Proposition 8 passed. See Proposition 8 passes: gay marriage to be outlawed in California .



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  • We hadn't noticed. The web searches have been so even-handed in the priorities of the propaganda it has steeped the issues in.
  • Bruce Johnson
    Good for Google! Please consider as well giving money to No on Prop. 8 Equality For All, they need it badly!

    Bruce Johnson
  • laaw
    fag
  • sonAmerica
    There are good people on either side of this issue. May I suggest some reasons to vote Yes on 8, just from a "future of society" point-of-view:

    Men and women are different. And that diversity is important in parenting. Each brings gender-unique and needed approaches to the raising of children. The definition of marriage as between a man and a woman recognizes that important contribution by both genders in the raising of our future generations. Redefining out that essential element of gender will completely change the focus of marriage and the reason for why we promote it.

    This isn't about two people showing committed love. This isn't about civil benefits. Both of those can be contained in Domestic Partnerships. There is no need to destroy the foundational purpose of marriage in order to satisfy the feelings of a few who want a stamp of approval for their personal choices.

    Prop 8 isn't about "rights". Everyone is either a man or a woman. So they all have the right to participate in "marriage", if they so choose. Some may have no interest in joining into marriage of a man and a woman. And that is their free choice. But it is intolerant of the needs of the rest of society for them to then demand that marriage be redefined for all the rest of us. Changing marriage to include any combination of genders fundamentally changes the institution of marriage.

    I have no problem with gay people having domestic partnerships for civil benefits etc, and they can live and do as they want. But as a society we need to promote marriage of a man and a woman, because that institution is critical for the future survival of society. And this issue is important enough that 4 judges ruling by fiat must not be allowed to override the will of the people on defining this most vital foundational institution of society.

    Friends, please vote Yes on 8.
  • bigotryiswrong
    Nope, there really aren't any good people on the side in favor of Prop 8. Not a one. Zero.

    Congratulations, the bigots outnumber decent human beings. I hope those of you who voted against Prop 8 are comfortable in knowing that, in 50 years time, you will be mentioned in the same sentence as Governor Wallace of Alabama.

    (I'm not surprised you have no idea who that is, bigots are almost always ignorant - maybe you should Google it)
  • Chuck
    I'm pretty sure I can manage with yahoo for my search engine.
  • I applaud Google for taking such a public stand. They speak for many, and are doing their part to encourage every person to let their voice be heard. I live in Massachusetts where same-sex marriages are legal. I oppose California's Proposition 8. Read why...

    http://www.betsysview.com/2008/09/why-i-oppose-...
  • Whether you believe in same-sex couples or same-sex marriages really is not the point. It is about freedom and it is about choice. The USA is about freedom and it should be extended to everyone regardless of who they want to marry. I don't ask about the intimate details of my straight friend's marriages, so I have no reason to care about the details of my gay friend's lives. Love is love. Marriage between two people is just that...between them.

    http://www.betsysview.com/2008/09/why-i-oppose-...
  • KJoe
    To sonAmerica:

    Your argument is facile. If the institution of marriage in our society were based solely on the rearing of children then partners who were incapable of having children would not be allowed to get married - whether heterosexual or gay.

    Also, it is the responsibility of the supreme court to interpret the constitution and the rights enshrined within it.

    Nice try to confuse the subject though, and I'm sure if no one bothered to actually think about what you said it would be convincing.
  • Hetero marriage and procreational sex don't need "promoting," SonAmerica. They do fine on their own. Remember sexual identity is not a chosen thing, and if gays can suddenly marry, we (straights) aren't exactly gonna run over and switch sides. Unless... well, maybe you're thinking about it? That might tell you something.

    Also, marriage is a civil contract. Churches and faith/religion can easily be removed from the discussion, and they can decide what they will and won't sanction. As a civil act and a contract between two people, it's CLEARLY a violation of equal rights.
  • I'm so glad to see such a "brand name" company take a stand against discrimination, for marriage equality and basic civil rights. If only more citizens would jump on the bandwagon and loudly proclaim their allegiance to their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. This is really not a "gay issue" - it's about basic civil rights and freedom for us all.
  • Kristi
    Prop 8 isn’t about discrimination against homosexuals. The irony is that it will end up causing reverse discrimination. Prop 8 is about protecting the family unit, religious freedoms, parental rights and even democracy. The consequences are far reaching. Furthermore, under a civil union homosexual couples have all the rights that a married couple have. California allows civil unions. It’s just not called marriage. For more info check out familyleaderca.net. It really opened my eyes to just how serious this is.
  • Kelleh
    Ok, reading "SonAmerica"s comment, you show the backwards thinking of many californians. Proving although we have come a long way since 30 or 50 years ago, there is still a long way to go. And your comment on Gay people wanting a "stamp of approval for personal choices" is ridiculous, i didnt think many people were ignorant enough to still think being gay is a choice. Voting in Prop 8 would be a backwards step for CA, and this IS about equality, and rights. How does it affect you if a couple in love gets married? it doesnt. If you are thinking about the future society then vote NO on prop 8 >.> and i completely agree with Sara Callow this is BASIC freedoms
  • Brett
    If Google is against Prop 8, then WHY DID THEY ALLOW A BUYOUT OF 2+ DAYS WORTH OF AD IMPRESSIONS FOR THEIR ADVERTISING DIVISION!? No joke... Any site you visited on Monday/Tuesday before the election that used Google Ads on their site only showed "yes on 8" ads.... pretty hypocritical....
  • Will
    ha hah ahah fuckers! you lost!!!
  • Dustin Wright
    Thank you Google!!
  • asdf
    dammit, fricken intollerant jackasses passed it.
  • laaw
    brings a whole new meaning to googlefag
  • sun
    Thank you Google

    Bottom line

    People are people - no two the same - yet we are all brother and sisters - No one should be denied rights that others have......
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