Google recently removed a “Pride and Drag Show” from its list of company-promoted LGBTQ events in response to a petition signed by hundreds of Christian employees and other supporters.
The petition condemned the event as an assault on religious beliefs and sensitivities, according to reports.
The event, initially scheduled at the LGBTQ bar Beaux in San Francisco, stirred controversy among Christian employees who deemed it disrespectful to their faith.
The petition specifically criticized the performance of a drag queen known as “Peaches Christ,” describing it as “provocative and inflammatory,” as reported by CNBC.
Citing the artist’s work as a direct affront to Christian beliefs, the petition gained traction and prompted Google to remove the event from its list of annually sponsored activities on the company’s website.
Chris Pappas, a Google spokesperson, clarified that the event was removed due to a failure to follow the standard events process during its initial posting. Pappas confirmed that drag shows have been featured in Google’s Pride celebrations for many years, including the most recent ones. However, the spokesperson did not indicate whether the petition influenced the decision to remove the public event from the promotion list.
In response to inquiries, Google did not immediately provide a comment to Fox News Digital.
Pappas mentioned that although the official team event would be shifted, the performance itself would proceed at the planned venue, open to the public and allowing employees to attend.
Google has a history of sponsoring various Pride events in San Francisco every June, which encompass drag shows and the annual Pride parade. Notably, the company faced another petition just four years ago from LGBTQ employees who demanded Google’s withdrawal from the San Francisco Pride parade, arguing that the company had not done enough to protect its LGBTQ workforce.
Balancing the promotion of Pride materials with employee and customer sentiments has been a challenge for several companies across the United States. Instances where companies failed to strike this balance, such as Bud Light’s promotion of transgenderism and Target’s controversial satanic displays, have faced criticism and boycotts.
As Christians navigate their workplaces, it is important to remember biblical teachings that guide their actions and responses. In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul advises believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
