Christian Google employees protest a drag show planned as an official team event. Google backs down.

Google Removes Controversial Event from LGBTQ+ Calendar

Recently, a group of Christian employees and others at Google voiced their opposition to an upcoming “Pride and Drag Show” that was set to be an official team event. In response to the petition, Google made the decision to remove the event from the list of LGBTQ+ events in California and relocated it to an onsite gathering.

The show, featuring the renowned drag performer “Peaches Christ,” was meant to be the grand finale of a series of Pride events in the Bay Area. Google had initially described it as a way to “wrap up this amazing month,” according to CNBC.

The petition, signed by hundreds of Google employees, expressed concerns that the event would sexualize and disrespect their Christian co-workers, accusing Google of religious discrimination. It stated that the provocative and inflammatory nature of “Peaches Christ’s” artistry directly offended the religious beliefs and sensitivities of Christians.

Google confirmed to CNBC that they no longer categorized the performance as a recognized diversity, equity, and inclusion event. Instead, they transformed it into a separate social gathering at their offices for employees.

Google spokesperson Chris Pappas clarified that the decision was not influenced by the petition, emphasizing the company’s longstanding support for the LGBTQ+ community. He explained that while the official team event had been moved, the performance would still take place at the planned venue and remain open to the public.

According to “Peaches Christ,” the event was initially scheduled to be held in San Francisco at his request, rather than in a conference room at Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters.

“In my world, Jesus has a sense of humor,” Peaches Christ told USA Today. “Yes, I did host a ‘Hunky Jesus’ contest. Yes, I support the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Yes, my show is called ‘Midnight Mass.’ But the Jesus and the God I believe in does not care.”

He continued, “This is another example of the really disturbing rise in anti-queer and anti-gay rhetoric that is using drag performers and trans people as scapegoats. Anyone who knows me and knows my career knows that I use this drag character and name to present love, to make people laugh, to create entertainment, and to create space for outsiders.”

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