Google running anti-gay ads in violation of its own policy

[Ian David]

Cross-posted in GD:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4306699&mesg_id=4306699


Google running anti-gay ads in violation of its own policy
John Aravosis (DC) · 10/24/2008 02:30:00 PM ET · Link

CALL TO ACTION: If you think these ads should be pulled from Google ads for "advocating against a protected group" and causing a "chilling and discriminatory effect" on Google employees and customers, please send Google an e-mail or call them at [phone]. Ask them to stop making money from our fight for equality. Remind them that - as Sergey said - this is "an issue of equality."

I've sat on this story from Bilerico for a few hours, in order to get more information, and even possibly get the issue resolved quietly. No such luck.

In a nutshell, Google has an explicit policy for its advertising that says no ad may advocate against a protected class, and among those protected classes is "sexual orientation." Yet, Google is running ads from anti-gay forces advocating the repeal of gay marriage in California, and advocating against gays in Arizona.

That's a clear violation of Google's policy against advocacy ads targeted protected groups. Period.

<snip>

It would be one thing if Google didn't have a policy banning such ads. But it does. And bully for Google for being so progressive. But don't tell me now that it's okay to run such ads when your own explicit policy forbids is. One argument I heard is that Google would permit ads for the anti-gays if the ads simply said "Vote YES on Prop 8" (that's the anti-gay marriage proposition that would repeal the marriages of thousands of gay couples and make their children instant bastards). That would be okay, per Google. But Google might not allow ads that say "Vote Yes on Prop 8, which would ban gay marriage."

More:
http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/google-running-anti-gay-ads-in.html

[parasim]

1. Hmmm... another reason to go with an iPhone instead of Google's Android...

No on Prop 8
October 24, 2008
Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/

[DarkTirade]

2. I hope this is just a case of 'left hand doesn't know what the right is doing'

and as soon as they notice they'll fix the problem... but then again, they may just like money enough to put aside their own ideals. :\

[Ms. Toad]

3. I wish sexual orientation was a protected class -

unfortunately, it is not (with a few state exceptions). Most of us can be fired, not hired, refused sales, etc. merely for being gay because sexual orientation is not a federally protected class - and is not generally a protected class in most states, either.

(Doesn't mean we shouldn't try to get Google to pull the ads - it just isn't clear to me that running them is against the policy recited.)

[FreeState]

4. Google is in CA - where GLBT is a protected suspect class in the Constitution :) n/t