jfid – June is known as Pride month, a month where the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community celebrates their identity and expression with passion and color.
For Google, however, support for the LGBTQ+ community isn’t limited to Pride month, but rather year-round and even throughout the company’s history.
Google, the tech giant founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, has a mission to “organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”.
In realizing this mission, Google focuses not only on innovative and quality products and services, but also on inclusive and diverse values.
One of Google’s values is “You can be you”. This value means that everyone, including Google employees and users, can show themselves for who they are without fear of discrimination or harassment.
Google believes that by creating a welcoming work environment and community that respects differences, it creates an atmosphere conducive to collaborating, creating, and innovating.
To implement these values, Google undertakes initiatives and activities that support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community inside and outside the company. Here are some examples of such initiatives and activities:
Forming a network of LGBTQ+ employees and allies
Google has a network of LGBTQ+ employees and allies called Gayglers.
The network is comprised of more than 10,000 employees worldwide committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse work culture.
Gaygliers also actively participate in various events and campaigns related to LGBTQ+ issues, such as the Pride Parade, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
Provide inclusive facilities and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees
Google provides inclusive perks and benefits for LGBTQ+ employees and their families, such as health insurance, family leave, adoption assistance, and legal aid.
Google also supports LGBTQ+ employees who want to make a gender transition by providing the guidance, support, and resources they need.
In addition, Google ensures that LGBTQ+ employees can work comfortably and safely wherever they are, by adopting anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, and providing assistance if they face challenges or threats in less LGBTQ+ friendly countries.
Develop products and services that are inclusive and beneficial to the LGBTQ+ community
Google develops products and services that are inclusive and useful for the LGBTQ+ community and other users, such as Google Maps, Google Photos, YouTube, and Google Arts &; Culture.
For example, Google Maps has a business attribute feature that allows users to know if a place is LGBTQ+ welcoming and safe, such as having a label of “LGBTQ friendly,” “Transgender safespace,” or “Gender-neutral restroom.”
Google Photos has a control feature that allows users to choose which photos they want to look back on, including photos related to their identity or gender expression.
YouTube has a YouTube Pride platform that showcases inspiring and entertaining content from LGBTQ+ creators and allies like Demi Lovato, Olly Alexander, Trixie Mattel, and more.
Google Arts & Culture has an online library featuring stories and artworks from the LGBTQ+ community from around the world, such as the history of the Pride flag, other inclusive symbols, and influential LGBTQ+ figures.
Provide financial and non-financial support to LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses
Google provides financial and non-financial support to LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses engaged in advocacy, education, health, the arts, and more.
For example, Google.org, Google’s philanthropy arm, committed to providing $4 million in cash and Ad Grants, as well as volunteer tools, training, and opportunities, to LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
One such recipient of support is OutRight Action International, a global human rights organization serving the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ communities during the pandemic.
Google.org also provided dedicated support to two trans-focus organisations, the Transgender Law Centre and Transgender Europe, giving each $500,<> in Ad Grants to help them raise awareness and access to essential resources.
In addition, Google is working with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and its affiliates, to provide tools and training from the Grow with Google program, which aims to help LGBTQ+ small businesses adapt and thrive.
With these initiatives and activities, Google shows that support for the LGBTQ+ community is not merely symbolic or ceremonial, but concrete and sustainable.
Google hopes that with this support, the LGBTQ+ community can feel a sense of pride and have a space to tell stories, create, and contribute to the world.
Google also hopes that with such support, the LGBTQ+ community can face lingering challenges and barriers, such as stigma, discrimination, violence, and inequality, more strongly and optimistically.
