Culture wars | Google sparks employee debate after retracting Pride drag show support

Google is under the spotlight after distancing itself from a company-sponsored drag event for Pride month, after a group of its staff signed a petition disputing the event on the basis of religious discrimination.

The event, which is taking place at LGBTQ bar Beaux, is set to feature popular drag performer Peaches Christ and signify the end of Pride month. But in response to the event, several hundred staff members signed a petition disputing the performance, saying it discriminates and disrespects Christian employees.

According to CNBC, the petition read: “Their provocative and inflammatory artistry is considered a direct affront to the religion beliefs and sensitivities of Christians.”

After the petition, many workers noticed the event had been removed from the company’s internal events page. When asked about the u-turn, Google told CNBC that it no longer considered the performance as a Google-associated DEI event and has instead set up an event at Google offices for staff to attend instead.