Google opposes ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage

Google has taken the unusual step of publicly opposing Proposition 8, an upcoming ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California.

The initiative has quickly become a bitter and divisive political fight, with California becoming a battleground as donations pour in from around the nation.

Same-sex marriage became legal in California in June after the state Supreme Court ruled a ban was unconstitutional, setting the stage for the ballot proposal that would make same-sex marriage illegal.

Google routinely and robustly exerts political influence in Washington in the realm of technology and energy. But it rarely ventures into social issues that can be a lightning rod for criticism.

Sergey Brin, Google's co-founder, noted in a blog post that Google is "an active participant" in policy debates that relate to its core businesses. He also points out that Google lays claim to a "diversity of people and opinions," Democrats and Republicans, convseratives and liberals, straight and gay. He acknowledged that it was an "unlikely question" for Google to take a stand on this initiative. But for Google, he says, it became an "issue of equality."

"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 is unclear whether Google will take further steps to oppose the ballot initiative. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Another company that has publicly opposed Proposition 8 is San Francisco's Pacific Gas & Electric.

-- Jessica Guynn

Photo: Sergey Brin Credit: EPA / Peter Foley

Comments

[S G]

Hurray for Google and its courage to stand up for the rights of all citizens! Vote No on Prob H8!

[Sandy]

Go Google!

Waiting for the boycott of Google called by the AFA and other right wing nuts. LOL

[Gabarus]

Oh wouldn't that be nice. They could all go and waste their time on AskJeeves looking for their propaganda!

[LOrion]

You forgot the LEVI's support... also that the Board of the VICA has also come out against 8, also emphasizing that they do not want to lose good employees.
A part of the LEVI's rational and for other corporations...it is very expensive to differentiate between benefits for same sex vs married couples. If all are MARRIED it maked the businesses more profitable. BOTTOM LINE folks...even for Levis' (pun intended.)

[Betsy]

I applaud Google for taking such a stand. Without the voices of the many, we will not progress. Californian's need to let their voices be heard and they need to encourage their friends and family to stand up and be counted.

I live in Massachusetts where it is legal for same-sex couples to wed. I oppose California's Proposition 8.

http://www.betsysview.com/2008/09/why-i-oppose-californias-proposition-8.html

[Leslie]

Happy to see Google reaffirm American ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is, after all, what they are in the business of helping all of us realize.

[Adam]

Google may help this November but I'm sure the right wingers won't give up so soon. That's why we need more legislation like SB-777, AB-394, SB-77 (2004) that bring awareness of gay rights into the schools. Our best hope for equality is teaching the next generation.

[JC]

I love Google but I don't think they or other companies should take positions on political issues unrelated to their core business. They should remain neutral, officially at least.

[Marion Jensen]

Great. Nice job. Now...how about Google's censorship in china?

Doing the right thing in one instance is nice. Doing the right thing all the time is much harder, and so much more important.

[Sailor]

What makes Google any type of authority on this matter and why should the public care what their stance is? They should stick to running the most successful business in the world and not lobbying for social and moral issues that have no bearing on their business.

[beetlebabee]

Everyone has a vote and an opinion. I'm sorry though to see Google get political. I always had such respect for them. Kids need a mother's influence as well as a father's influence. Gay marriages by definition deny a child their right to be raised by a mom AND a dad. Divorce does too, but everyone agrees divorces are a tragedy for children. This, we are supposed to celebrate?

[Angela]

Do no evil? Oh, Google! with your cute little oo's. I loved you. You're killing me. Our society was founded on Judeo/Christian values.  If you take those values out of society, then you have to replace them with other values.  I think this is part of the issue here.  What values are we really embracing here?  How do we know what the long term ramifications are and if this is what we really want? I don't think it's as simple as just marrying who you "love".

[Barry]

Prop 8 is NOT in any way a vote for or against the gay and lesbian rights. They already have the right to live as a married couple. This is an issued that greatly effects our children and what they will be taught in school. If prop 8 is not passed, our children will be forced to learn about gay and lesbian lifesyles in our public schools. And....talk about seperation of church and state. Churches and religous organizations have already been sued in court and found guilty for not supporting the gay and lesbian lifesyles. Isn't this a little like the government telling religions how and what they have to believe. Somebody in this country better figure out what is really meant by seperation of church and state.
I believe that a person can love and accept a gay person without supporting their choice of a same sex partner. All I can say to google is YAHOO(.com).
All of my gmail amd google accounts have been deleted.

[Jan (very sad)]

I'm so disappointed! I can live just fine without Levis' but I'll miss you Google! This is so much more than the rights of the homosexuals. Let them have their "unions." Marriage is sacred for most of us. It's between a man and a woman for the creation of children. It's a God given right. We must keep it that way. I sincerely hope that you will reconsider.

[Nick]

Everything has both sides of opinions. I know some very nice Christians. They take the religious as a faith and be able to take the differences aside and respect other people's choices. However, some christians like to cast that the country is founded by Christians and put people with other choices, from religious, life styles or interests as the second class citizens. We are all equal. These Christians are only power grabbers. Use the name of Jesus to make bogus, fear messages to grab power, secure their insecurity. The history told us the truth already from the Crusade. I feel sorry for that poor Jesus. Those "Christians" are not the real Christians.
We should all keep our believes to ourselves, instead of controlling other people life. You keep on using the name of Jesus as an excuse to demonize other people's believe and choices. Demonize other people and use it for your own benefits is a sin.
Studies show that kids from health family with father and mother are healthier because those kids did not get bully in schools, vs. those from the other type families, such as single families or same sex families. Kids bully other different kids because they got such the bad influence from those so called "Christians". Respect is the best way to create a health community and society.

[Stephanie Kansas]

This to me is a non-issue. If you don't agree with marriage equality, don't marry someone of the same sex! As a school teacher, I don't ever recall reading/citing the words..."with liberty and justice for ALL" and seeing the word, "except". Separate but equal does not, has not and should not work. We can not "eenie meenie miney moe" through our neighborhoods and point to who is allowed marriage or not. As a christian and American, I am for equality, love, and acceptance to all human life. God bless, Stephanie

[Concerned for the Future]

Does the Google company financially support the opposition to Prop 8?

[Emilio]

Thank you Google! Defending civil rights is the right way to go for any respectable company. NO on 8!

[Nancy]

I'm glad forward-thinking companies like Google are taking a stand on this issue. Equality is black and white, not gray -- either we're all equal, or we're not. For those of you who are now selling your Google stock and canceling your Google accounts... HA. Like this multi-billion dollar company needs you anyway. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face...

[Craig]

As a gay Mormon, I am very moved by this, and deeply disappointed in "my Church" which excommunicated me for being gay and shamelessly fights against decency and civil rights. Shame!

Meanwhile while our religions fail us, Google & Co. continues to lead in technology as well as in heart, which is where the future is. Score!

[Gabe]

I just wished Google had stayed out of this one.

[Tedd]

Totally agree! It's about equality, as well as the separation of religious laws and civil laws. Civil laws govern us all, and religious laws are personal to the church organization you belong to.

We are in a war because of alleged fanatics, yet people don't realize that the fanatics are in your own back yard trying to do all they can to break down California's constitution for their needs. California joined the union with the understanding of equal treatment and the separation of church and state, so I don't know why these Mormons from Utah are trying to tell Californian's what to do! It's why we are here because of that separation.

We need to fight any attempt of any special group or religion trying to alter Our Constitution, especially to ad discrimination which BTW is unconstitutional.

Those Prop 8 people have just made a mess of things, and they should receive the bill for any future litigation, there church should get the bill, not tax payers.

[Tedd]

BTW, the Prop 8 people keep alleging that this has nothing to do with Gay people and the right to marry. Yet, they know very well that Prop 8 would eliminate that right if passed.

It was cleared up in court, yet they continue to tell their lies, it has nothing to do with alleged school curriculum.

School curriculum should be taken care of on the district level!

Curriculum is thought out based on the district and the district needs of that community. If you want French language taught in your school instead of Spanish then the parents need to take that issue up with the school board in THAT district!

You don't attack our California's Constitution and allege that it's for school curriculum! That's bull, these are typical church practices of lie after lie, in order for the church to get what they need. It's a practice that has been going on since the inquisitions.

It's been clarified by numerous trusted officials, and California's court's!

Yet, Prop 8 people continue to allege it will not take away same-sex couples rights to have a marriage license which is necessary for them to prove their property rights and heirs under California's CIVIL LAWS!?!!

Give me a break!