Google is no stranger to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2017, the tech giant donated $1 million to the Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Community Center in New York to digitize the story of the Stonewall Riots, considered the defining moment in the pursuit for LGTBTQ+ rights. Every year, the company celebrates Pride Month by putting a spotlight on diversity and highlighting Google’s LGBTQ+ initiatives. The company’s latest commemoration for Pride Month is the launch of a hub celebrating the history and heritage of the Ballroom scene, a LGBTQ+ subculture.
Google’s new Ballroom in Focus Hub spotlights a growing LGBTQ+ subculture
As first reported by Android Police, Google’s recently launched Ballroom in Focus hub resulted from a partnership between Google Arts & Culture, experts from the Ballroom community, and Destination Toronto.
The hub contains about 2,000 photos, half of which have been digitized for the first time. The repository of images includes a few items that have been enhanced using Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser, two AI-powered editing tools found on the Pixel 7a as well as other Android phones.
Further noted by Android Police, Ballroom in Focus highlights more than 25 stories from pioneers of the Ballroom scene. The hub also pays tribute to community leaders who have made significant contributions to Ballroom culture, including Christopher Street and Junior LaBeija.
Google is putting on a spotlight on LGBT+ content for Pride Month
Google’s Pride Month celebrations extend to other products as well. The Play Store, for instance, features apps, games and books curated for the LGBTQ+ community. This includes Spotify. Google TV is also featuring a variety of LGBTQ+ content throughout the month — such as RuPaul’s Drag All Race All Stars and The Stroll — which will be identifiable by the rainbow flag.
Over on YouTube, the video-sharing platform is spotlighting LGBTQ+ content creators in the beauty, gaming and lifestyle spaces. That means you’ll see creators like Guy Tang, DIY with KB, and Say What? It’s Vegan take centre stage on the platform during the month of June.
Meanwhile, Google Assistant is joining in with stories from LGBTQ+ community members. Which are triggered when you say, “Hey Google, Happy Pride.”
Last but not least, Google Meet is entering the fray with a Pride effect that brightens your background. Enabling this adds a rainbow color tint and a rainbow flag heart to your cheek.
In recent years, Google honored Pride Month by adding LGBTQ+ Pride backgrounds to its Wallpapers App, as well as adding labels for locations that have gender-neutral washrooms in Google Maps and Search.
2023-06-02 15:12:43