Google Co-Founder Brin: Our Company Opposes California Anti-Gay Marriage Measure

On Friday afternoon Google Co-founder Sergey Brin explained, in an entry written on Google's blog, his company's decision to take an official public position against Proposition 8, which seeks to ban gay marriage in California.

As an Internet company, Google is an active participant in policy debates surrounding information access, technology and energy. Because our company has a great diversity of people and opinions -- Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, all religions and no religion, straight and gay -- we do not generally take a position on issues outside of our field, especially not social issues. So when Proposition 8 appeared on the California ballot, it was an unlikely question for Google to take an official company position on.

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.

Comments

[RationalDubSteppa]

06:30 PM on 10/25/2008

Apple just joined the fight against proposition no. 8 by donating $100,000 USD to fight this bigoted proposition. More details can be find on their news site... http://www.apple.com/hotnews/

"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." -Apple

[RationalDubSteppa]

02:51 PM on 10/25/2008

Right on google!!! My business also opposes this and we make sure that everyone is treated equal. We give the same benefits to straight couples as we do gay couples, no questions asks. And we have a zero tolerance policy against homophobic behaviour. Gay people deserve every right and protection than straight people and anyone that thinks different is a close-minded bigot.

[proudem]

12:01 AM on 09/29/2008

I have never understood to what extent gay marriage threatened straight marriage. I also agree that this same concept applied to interracial marriage not so long ago. Bigotry is bigotry. Good for Google. But really, what is the threat? A

[RationalDubSteppa]

03:05 PM on 10/25/2008

Your absolutely right mate! We have to call a spade a spade. If one is against gay marriage than one is acting on bigotry. No if, else or buts.

[Bitsko]

08:32 PM on 09/28/2008

By the way, this guy Brin has a net worth of estimated at $18.5 billion as of March of 2007, is the 26th richest person in the world, and the 5th richest person in the U.S.

I loath rich punks telling us what to do while they drive our country into an economic depression. Besides, the guy needs to buy some business suits and stop dressing like he's a regular guy..

[RationalDubSteppa]

03:20 PM on 10/16/2008

So just because he's rich he can't have an opinion??? Unlike you... he and his boy Sergey built a system that you could only dream off, and then made a lot of money off of it, nothing wrong with that.

How in the hell is the current economic crisis Brin's fault!? Damn!! That level of stupidity in your comment is just astounding. Brin is one of us, Smart, liberal and progressive, values that people like you can't understand so you resort to cheap attacks on superficial things like his wardrobe. Very shallow, very cheap and speaks wonders about your own accomplishments( are lack thereof ).

[Bitsko]

08:26 PM on 09/28/2008

Why do these rich creeps always use words like "chilling"? I'll tell ya what's chilling -- not leaving people alone!

[RationalDubSteppa]

03:06 PM on 10/25/2008

You know what Bitsko? You should stop hating and do something worthwhile with your life. If your hating on Brin's bank account why don't you take that energy and focus on your own net worth. Being well to do does not mean you are a creep.

[SwingVoter]

04:49 PM on 09/28/2008

I consider myself to be conservative on social issues. However, it is not the government's authority to dictate lifestyles--therefore, I support Google coming out in opposition.

[Bitsko]

08:27 PM on 09/28/2008

So you're all for business having the authority to dictate lifestyles?

[macweenie]

11:55 PM on 09/28/2008

Yeah Bitzy, that's EXACTLY what was said... I'm guessing that reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

Slowly, so you can follow along - Sergey Brin is expressing his POSITION on a proposition 8. Even though he is one of the founders of Google, a large powerful company, he gets exactly ONE vote. We can either agree with his position or not just like we can decide to use his search engine or not, but in America he has the right to express his opinion on politics because he is an private individual who pays taxes same as you do.

You know who IS trying to dictate policy in this country but are restricted from doing it legally because they are a tax EXEMPT organization? Yeah, the church. Not that that stops them though...

Why don't you Google PULPIT FREEDOM SUNDAY then explain again how Mr. Brin is dictating to us?

[RationalDubSteppa]

02:55 PM on 10/25/2008

Hey Bitsko! No one is dictating lifestyles here, it's a matter of fairness. Plain and simple! If you don't like gay people, then move to a religious country like Saudi Arabia or something where being gay can get you the death penalty. Furthermore, Google belongs to Sergey and Larry, so they can do whatever they feel like with their business.

[RationalDubSteppa]

03:14 PM on 10/16/2008

Hey SwingVoter, being gay is NOT a lifestyle, ok? It's not like buying a pair of sunglasses an putting them on. I can't believe in 2008 people think like you do.

[Bubba in Okeechobee]

02:08 PM on 09/28/2008

I guess I'm a tad confused.

I don't have a problem with gay marriage.

No one can explain to me what the threat is to my straight marriage.

How does gay marriage endanger the concept and sanctity of marriage ???

[SouthJerseySteve]

04:12 PM on 09/28/2008

In the 1950's they said the same thing about interracial marriage. My friends, bigotry has no limits.

[Bitsko]

08:35 PM on 09/28/2008

Thank you.

[SimonNZ]

11:16 AM on 09/28/2008

Amen to that. Well done Google. This negates some of the nasty connivances you had with the Chinese Government.

I've always been amazed and dismayed by the view held by conservatives that laws to protect the separation of church and state are examples of government interference into people's private lives but legislation preventing same sex unions is not.

If two people want to join in union with each other and have their relationship recognized in law they should have that right. It is the height of injustice to demand that gay people contribute to society by paying taxes and then deny them the rights that everyone else enjoys.

[hypnotoad72]

11:34 AM on 09/28/2008

But that's still apples and oranges. Government vs corporate.

Which do you want controlling your life? Or use excessive influence?

BTW: Gays have the same rights. Cops don't go in and close bars down. Or any other legitimate avenue people meet up in.

[Dynamohum]

03:12 PM on 09/28/2008

And what pray tell, is the point you are trying to make? Gays do not have the same rights as heterosexuals and for you to infer that they do, is both ignorant and morally reprehensible. So now gays meet in bars and bars only? What a laughable stereotype and show of your complete ignorance.

[SurrealPumpkin]

03:36 PM on 09/28/2008

When my brother was dying his lover was only allowed in to be with him after my mother kicked up a fuss. That is what this is all about.

[hypnotoad72]

10:57 AM on 09/28/2008

Well, corporations get involved in other laws - that's all I've got to say.

[SouthJerseySteve]

04:39 PM on 09/28/2008

... and let's not forget all these ministers, priests, rabbis.... etc who risk losing tax exempt status by mixing religion and politics from the pulpit.

[helonias]

09:29 AM on 09/28/2008

What about an anti adultery law. That seems to be the main problem with the sanctity of marriage.

Just ask JM and RG first wives.

[uclafan]

10:08 AM on 09/28/2008

I know...we'd see marriage stop altogether at that point!

[Bitsko]

08:36 PM on 09/28/2008

Speaking as someone who has been hitched for over 25 years, marriage is overrated anyway.

[hypnotoad72]

11:05 AM on 09/28/2008

Jimmy Malone and Roger Giblet?

Come on, state names. You can do it! :)

[helonias]

12:16 PM on 09/28/2008

They would post it when I said John McCain and Rudy G silly

[GSMRaleigh]

02:45 AM on 09/28/2008

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4828413.ece

NO WAY, NO PAY, NO UK

According to the timesonline, UK financial firms will qualify for money from the US Treasury for bail out.

[Mysticalsister]

02:28 AM on 09/28/2008

Thanks Google, for standing up for equal rights. We appreciate it.

[kenann]

01:53 AM on 09/28/2008

Thank you Google for taking a stand! I live in California and have been worried that this bigoted proposition wasn't getting enough attention. As a straight, married woman with a child, I fully support the rights of my gay and lesbian friends to get married and enjoy the same rights I have.

Californians, please forward this article to all your gay and lesbian friends and urge them to register to vote. I have already registered three of my friends that weren't even aware that this proposition was on the ballot. We need to make sure that all Americans are treated equally. Gone are the days of the Bushies and McSames. Here's to change!

[obamagramma]

01:28 AM on 09/28/2008

Confusing headline: Couldn't you say

Google opposes Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage?

[DrDemon]

05:08 AM on 09/28/2008

Yes...it took me a minute.

[MrHearst]

01:18 AM on 09/28/2008

Congrats to GOOGLE...

I just made Google my new homepage!!!

J'Adore GOOGLE!!!