Tell Google: Lesbian and Bisexual Aren't Offensive Search Terms

Tell Google: Lesbian and Bisexual Aren't Offensive Search Terms

The Issue

Google Instant is Google's newest addition, changing how people search the Internet. ‘Instant' begins predicting results starting the moment the user begins typing their search relying on an autocomplete function. As a user starts typing a word, Google's homepage will instantly move to a page of results, which is updated as each letter is typed.

According to Google, "autocomplete excludes certain terms related to pornography, violence and hate speech." But as it turns out, the autocomplete unfairly excludes the words lesbian and bisexual.

Homosexual, gay, queer, dyke, transvestite, and transgender are all included as acceptable search terms. But lesbian and bisexual are not, seemingly lumped into the category of "pornography," "violence," or "hate speech."

But "lesbian" and "bisexual" are valid identities, comprising millions of people in the U.S. and around the globe. Send Google a message that these two search terms ought to be included in Google Instant.

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The Issue

Google Instant is Google's newest addition, changing how people search the Internet. ‘Instant' begins predicting results starting the moment the user begins typing their search relying on an autocomplete function. As a user starts typing a word, Google's homepage will instantly move to a page of results, which is updated as each letter is typed.

According to Google, "autocomplete excludes certain terms related to pornography, violence and hate speech." But as it turns out, the autocomplete unfairly excludes the words lesbian and bisexual.

Homosexual, gay, queer, dyke, transvestite, and transgender are all included as acceptable search terms. But lesbian and bisexual are not, seemingly lumped into the category of "pornography," "violence," or "hate speech."

But "lesbian" and "bisexual" are valid identities, comprising millions of people in the U.S. and around the globe. Send Google a message that these two search terms ought to be included in Google Instant.

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Change.orgPetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Google
Google
Search Quality Department

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Petition created on September 9, 2010