Google CEO Writes An Apology Letter To The LGBTQ+ Community

YouTube has been receiving backlash for its lax policy, especially after it said no to the banning of a YouTuber for operating a months-long harassing campaign against a well-known journalist.

Of course, the LGBTQ+ community did not receive this well. And following the decision, Susan Wojcicki, YouTube CEO needed to make public apologies. Now, it seems like it is Pichai’s turn to speak about this matter.

In a meeting on June 11, Pichai, along with other top executives, had a discussion with the representatives of the LGBTQ employees on a “pattern of crises”.

In an internal mail that The Verge received, it is stated that the CEO tried to address problems about the toxic work environment for female, non-binary, and homosexual employees and how repeated harassers and abusers get away easily.

In his letter, Pichai wrote:

“It was important for me to hear directly from LGBTQ+ Googlers to better understand the full range of experiences," he wrote. "One thing that came through very clearly is the LGBTQ+ community has felt a lot of pain and frustration over recent events.

Our Gaygler and Trans communities have always been a core part of Google culture. You are a source of pride for us as Googlers, and also a source of hope for people globally who don't feel comfortable being out in their own workplaces and communities. It's important to me that we continue to work hard to ensure Google is a place where everyone feels included.

With respect to YouTube, Susan and the team are already taking a hard look at the harassment policies and will do this in consultation with many groups, including people who have themselves experienced harassment. We're also thinking through ways to engage more with our LGBTQ+ community at important moments and get input from our ERG leads and representatives."

A letter can’t prove anything though. It is another thing entirely whether Google actually decides to make amends. And that is the exact thing they need to do right now.

Back in November last year, a walkout was staged by Google employees around the world to protest the treatment of the company towards women as well as the LGBTQ community’s members. At that time, the cause behind this protest was news about Android creator Andy Rubin who during his time working at Google had sexually harassed female employees. The worst part is that not only did he get away with it, but he also received a considerable severance package.

Earlier this year, a similar case happened. This time it involved former Google’s senior search VP Amit Singhal. He was let go of his position because of harassment charges, yet he still got a hefty paycheck.

All of this has explained why Sundar Pichai is no longer the most reputable CEO. Google has quite a lot to do in terms of humanity-related problems, and they need to do it now.