Google has made clear its stance on the Russian anti-gay law marring the Sochi Olympic Games by giving its search page a rainbow makeover — and a link to the part of the Olympic charter that bans "discrimination of any kind."
The law, which prohibits "homosexual propaganda," among other things, has drawn criticism from human rights groups, gay-friendly businesses, and governments throughout the world.
And as the games begin, there's even dissent from partners: AT&T was among the first sponsors of the US Olympic Committee to officially object to the laws (Chobani and DeVry University also spoke out), and now Google is showing their true colors as well — literally.
Google's new front page Thursday, visible internationally and including Google.ru, shows athletes superimposed over a rainbow, a well-known symbol of gay pride. Below the search box is an excerpt from the official Olympic Charter:
"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."
If there was any doubt what side the world's most visible Internet company was on in this debate, this should clear it up.