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

[Ian David]

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

[terrya]

1. I just emailed Google demanding that they stop these ads.

Thank you for posting this. Recommended.

[lonestarnot]

2. what address?

[terrya]

3. I found it in the original Americablog story. Here it is.

http://www.google.com/support/contact/bin/request.py?press=1

[lonestarnot]

4. Thanks!

[lonestarnot]

5. Short and to the point!

Subject: Anti-gay advertising: Stop running it in violation of your own policy. Money isn't everything, people are!

[terrya]

6. Great letter!

Mine was a bit more long winded. :-)

[lonestarnot]

8. Do they read more than 4 words?

[terrya]

10. Well, there didn't seem to be a limit.

Brevity is more powerful when getting your point across. I don't seem to understand that. :-(

[terrya]

7. Has this been cross posted in GLBT? You might do that.

Just a suggestion.

[Ian David]

9. Good idea. I just did. Thanks! n/t