Calls Increase To Expel Google From San Francisco Pride Parade

A man dances in the annual LGBTQI Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25, 2017 in San Francisco, California.
Photo credit Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

The San Francisco Pride Board is considering excluding Google from its parade this year over harassment claims made by journalist Carlos Maza. 

The controversy stems from comments made about Maza's sexual orientation.

Google has faced media backlash after Vox video journalist Carlos Maza, who is gay, opened up on Twitter about homophobic comments from right-wing YouTube star Steven Crowder.

I don’t know what to say.@YouTube has decided not to punish Crowder, after he spent two years harassing me for being gay and Latino.I don't know what to say. https://t.co/EFvWCNvPms

— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) June 4, 2019

Crowder, who has over 3.8 million followers, has called Maza a "lispy queer" and a "gay Mexican" among other insults over the last year.

Maza reported the harassment to YouTube, which is owned by Google, arguing the comments violate the company's policy against hate speech. YouTube said while they found the language to be hurtful, the videos don't infringe on its terms of service. 

LGBTQ activists now want Google out of the annual parade in San Francisco this month, saying if Google is allowed to participate, it would be seen as an endorsement of YouTube's actions.

A spokesperson for San Francisco Pride said that Google has already registered as a contingent for the parade, and will remain a participant unless the Pride Board decides otherwise.

Google and Carlos Maza have not yet responded to KCBS Radio's requests for comment.