Google's decision to support Gay Pride
with a rainbow icon has disappointed some gay rights backers.
Google is supporting Gay Pride,
celebrated in the month of June, with the addition of a rainbow icon
to its otherwise spartan search box. But the rainbow only appears
when users search for gay-related topics, prompting some to say
Google remains in the closet.
“During the month of June, Google is
celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride,”
the company said in a statement. “For some Pride-related search
queries, we are showing a rainbow at the end of the search bar.”
Writing
for the The Atlantic's tech site, Nicholas Jackson said
Google's support remains hidden to avoid criticism from anti-gay
groups.
“Instead of boldly declaring its
support of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, Google added a rainbow to the
end of its search bar,” Jackson wrote. “But it only appears when
certain queries are entered. 'Gay' does the trick, as does 'lesbian'
and 'transgender.' But try even the slightest modifications to those
terms -- 'transgender pride,' 'lesbian empowerment' -- and the
rainbow disappears as though it was never there. This should keep
the six-color rainbow, a symbol universally associated with gay pride
ever since San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker created it 33 years
ago, from appearing on the pages of those who are still opposed to
gay rights. And keep Google from having to deal with any backlash.”
“I'm disappointed in Google's
decision today,” Jackson added, "but none of this is meant to
demean the company's previous work in supporting gay rights.”