Google launched an official initiative Saturday to change laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation. The global “Legalize Love” campaign intends to decriminalise homosexuality and eliminate homophobia around the world.
Also on Saturday, a contingent of Google employees from many different countries marched in the World Pride in London parade (pictured, and shown in the video below). The company also brought 100 guests from LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) advocacy groups, employee networks, and diversity organisations to its London office for the inaugural Google Legalize Love Conference. Further details of Google’s Legalize Love activities and partner organizations are on its website and blog.
Google said the initiative is an extension of its corporate culture, which values inclusion, and that any country that wants to do business internationally should cease discrimination. “At Google, we encourage people to bring their whole selves to work,” the company said. “In all of our 60 offices around the world, we are committed to cultivating a work environment where Googlers can be themselves and thrive. We also want our employees to have the same inclusive experience outside of the office, as they do at work, and for LGBT communities to be safe and to be accepted wherever they are.”
Examples of Google’s internal efforts include Gayglers, its employee network for LGBT employees, friends and allies. Earlier this year, Google enhanced its existing transgender-inclusive benefits to cover transitioning procedures and treatment in accordance with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s (WPATH) Standards of Care, and increased its lifetime maximum coverage for these benefits.
Related links:
Google – Legalise Love: LGBT Rights Are Human Rights
Google blog – Celebrating Pride 2012
World Pride in London – http://www.pridelondon.org
Dot429 – Google wants the world to “Legalize Love”
CNN Money – Google pushes for gay rights with ‘Legalize Love’ campaign
The Christian Post – Google Pushes Gay Agenda Worldwide With ‘Legalize Love’ Campaign
Photo by Flickr user xJason.Rogersx, used under Creative Commons license
