Google distances itself from drag performance after employee petition

Google distances itself from performing a raffle it had planned as the pride’s closing event a month after a group of employees circulated an internal petition opposing it, alleging religious discrimination.

Each year, Google sponsors a series of Pride events in San Francisco and at other locations for employees and the public. This year, the closing event was the Pride and Drag Show featuring popular performer Peaches Christ, who was scheduled to perform on Tuesday at San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ bar Beaux to “cap off this wonderful month,” according to a now- The internal description of the event seen by CNBC has been removed.

However, employees noted that the company removed the offer from its internal company events page around the same time when a petition opposing the event began circulating, according to internal discussions seen by CNBC.

A few hundred employees signed a petition opposing performing the cloud, claiming it sexualized and disrespected Christian co-workers, and accused Google of religious discrimination, according to the petition seen by CNBC. “Their provocative and inflammatory art is a direct affront to the beliefs and religious sensitivities of Christians,” the petition states, referring to the drag performer.

Google confirmed to CNBC that it no longer rates performance as a Google-recognized DEI event. The company has set up a separate social gathering at Google’s offices and is now encouraging employees to attend instead.

A spokesperson for Chris Pappas said in a statement to CNBC that the closing draw event was planned by an in-house team “without going through our standard events process.” “While the event organizers have shifted the official team event to the site, the performance will continue at its planned venue — and it’s open to the public, so staff can still attend.”

Pappas added, “We’ve always been very proud to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. Our Pride celebrations have regularly featured drag artists for many years, including several this year.”

The company did not address whether the employee’s petition played a role in the decision to change the closing event.

The petition states that the organizers complained to People Operations – Google’s human resources division – and claim that the venue violates one of Google’s event guidelines, which prohibit sexually explicit activity. The petition also demands an apology from the organizers and promoters of the event.

Some employees criticized the petition, saying the complaints were subjective and fueled political culture wars, according to internal discussions seen by CNBC. Drag shows have been a target for religious and conservative organizations and politicians ahead of the 2024 presidential election wave of legislative proposals Supported by GOP governors targeting drag events.

The employees also criticized Google’s leadership for what they saw as the quiet removal of the incident from the internal site and caving in to pressure from petitioners. A company spokesperson said the changes to the event were communicated to the team’s personnel resource group last week.

San Francisco venues host Pride events every June, which is known as Pride Month, and these events usually include drag performances of various theatrical acts. Google is one of the many corporate sponsors of several Pride events that also include talks with influencers and community documentary screenings for the public and staff.

The company’s Pride website features many affirmations supporting the LGBTQ+ community with phrases like “A Space to Belong” She wrote that “a global lockdown has reaffirmed our global need for inclusive spaces that bring us together and celebrate belonging.”