Google regularly alters the design of its search page and as the Winter Olympic Games is all set to kick off in Sochi, Russia, the search engine giant has criticized Russia's anti-gay policies with a colorful Olympic Doodle.
The doodle is also featured on the Russian address Google.ru, and depicts a number of Winter Olympic athletes with backgrounds in the six colors on the gay pride flag - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. The doodle is also accompanied by a quote from the Olympic Charter below Google's search bar. Clicking the doodle opens up a series of results on the Olympic Charter.
"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play - Olympic Charter," reads the Google landing page (as on Friday, February 7).
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, had signed a law in 2013, that criminalizes gays. Russia restricts rights of gay citizens and bans anything which is deemed as homosexual propaganda. Putin's move had created an international outcry among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups.
Putin says that the legislation is required to protect young people. However, critics say that the legislation fosters a climate of discrimination against LGBT groups.
Many people have praised the Internet giant for showing its support for LGBT groups.
"Google has once again proven itself to be a true corporate leader for equality," said Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). "Alongside Olympic sponsors like AT&T, Google has made a clear and unequivocal statement that Russia's anti-LGBT discrimination is indefensible. Now it's time for each and every remaining Olympic sponsor to follow their lead. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching."
Many organizations have criticized Russia over its gay legislation. U.S. wireless carrier AT&T, which is also a sponsor of the U.S. Olympic team, has raised its concerns over anti-gay policies in Russia.
"Russia's law is harmful to LGBT individuals and families, and it's harmful to a diverse society," per an AT&T blog.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discussed the attacks on LGBT groups and said people should oppose any discriminatory restrictions that the community faces.
