When dozens of Google’s employees attended the drag show, some of whom booed their employer, it became a rallying cry for corporate allyship. The drag show was originally intended to commemorate the end of Pride month.
Longtime drag performer Joshua Grannell of San Francisco said, “I don’t usually talk about this sort of thing,” as he introduced his multi-performance drag show on a small stage at a pub in the Castro neighbourhood on Tuesday night.
The event was organised by Google’s employees, and when it was carried out the previous year, it was both fantastic and enjoyable. And because they felt it was distressing, disrespectful, and divisive this year, a number of Christians at Google signed a petition asking for this event to be removed from the company’s employees.
What exactly happened?
Numerous guests, including a few Google’s employees sporting “Pride” T-shirts, yelled, “Boo!”
Grannell was scheduled to appear at a drag concert sponsored and promoted by Google to end Pride month under the drag moniker “Peaches Christ.” However, as CNBC has previously reported, the business ended its involvement with the drag show and instead urged staff to attend another event at its offices. Several hundred workers signed a petition protesting the drag show, alleging it was hurtful to their Christian faith and that they had protested to human resources. This led to the decision.
The business claimed that the event had not been approved properly, although it made no mention of the petition. Participants and Grannell expressed their opinion that the modification was a capitulation to the petition and grievances of the Christian employees.
Google’s employees bash company
Mixed Reactions
Regarding the petition, Grannell said on stage, “I was called all sorts of things.” More attendees shouted, “Boo!” One worker from the crowd cried, “We support you!” Employees and Grannell both expressed disappointment with the company for changing its mind to CNBC, noting that a similar event was held the year before without any issues. Grannell was referred to as an “icon” and “an institution” by attendees in the LGBT community.
According to Grannell, who has performed in San Francisco for close to 30 years, “I employ hundreds of people, performers and artists throughout the city.” He addressed the gathering on Tuesday, drawing more jeers and yells. “This thing that happened with Google, unfortunately for this event, is actually indicative of a huge groundswell of hatred across the country using drag queens and Trans people as a scapegoat,” he said.
