Google often excites its users by changing its trademark "Doodle" to play off current events, mark historic occasions, or pay homage to American greats. But this month — Gay Pride Month — Google's Doodles have left the gay community hanging. Google has added a small rainbow at the end of its search tab, but it's only visible when users enter gay-related search terms. In the past, the search giant has created full-blown Doodles for seemingly frivolous events like Pi Day, and the anniversary of Pac-Man, causing some gay-rights advocates to condemn Google for not giving Gay Pride Month its own Doodle. Is Google wronging the gay community?
At least Google recognizes Gay Pride Month: Celebrating Pride Month "should be commended," says Jonathan Higbee at InstinctMagazine.com, even if Google's tribute to gays is only visible if your search terms include "gay," "lesbian," "bisexual," "lgbt" or "transgender." The rainbow may be hard to find, but the fact that it's there at all "is a welcome boost in the right direction."
"Google adds gay pride rainbow to search results; Some argue it's not enough"
But they could have gone much further: Sesame Street and Vivaldi got their own Doodles, says Nicholas Jackson at The Atlantic, but Gay Pride Month doesn't? That's ridiculous. Google's "tiny rainbow" disappears when search terms are slightly modified, which just shows that Google is content to duck "having to deal with any backlash" from users who don't support gay rights.
"Google's disappointing decision to hide its support of gay pride"
Hey, it could still happen: Gay Pride Month isn't over yet, says Natalie Hope McDonald at Philadelphia. "Perhaps the tech giant will surprise us." And even if it doesn't, Google deserves some credit. It publicly opposed Proposition 8 in California, and its employees created their own "It gets better" video. Google has been "a pretty gay-friendly place after all."
"Google goes gay — sort of"
