Gay rights advocates had a huge day Wednesday with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (they deemed it unconstitutional ). Google seems to be on board today as well. Go type “gay” into your search bar and see what happens.
When you type the word “gay” into Google, the search bar is highlighted with a rainbow graphic once your search results load.
Google’s “gay” search bar animation has actually been there for a few days . Most folks are only noticing it today in light of the SCOTUS rulings, but it was originally put in place to celebrate LGBT Pride Month, held in June to honor the Stonewall Riots, a series of violent demonstrations held by the gay community on June 28, 1969.
The Stonewall Riots are considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and arguably birthed the LGBT rights movement as we know it today in the United States.
Anyway, the Google “gay” search bar also coincidentally celebrates the Supreme Court’s ruling against the Defense of Marriage Act on June 26, 2013. The Supreme Court’s decision on both DOMA and Prop 8 (which they basically sent back to its death in California ) has been long-awaited, so it’s hard to think Google’s subtle makeover isn’t a reference to these decisions in some way.
All Google folks didn’t know was that the “gay” search bar would end up being part of a celebration in the LGBT community.
Did you go to Google to check out the “gay” search bar? Also, what do you think of the Supreme Court’s decision on DOMA?