This is how Google searches portray LGBT people
Google’s search engine appears to be learning bigotry from the humans it serves.
Online campaigners have hit out at the algorithm-based Google Images search this week, for learning a few lessons from humanity in terms of negative stereotyping.
Campaigners pointed out that searching ‘three black teenagers’ on the search engine reveals a series of mugshots, while ‘three white teenagers’ shows smiling people at parties.
Given the search engine learned racism, we thought we’d see what comes up if you search for some common LGBT terms too.
Gay
(Suggestions: Are you sure you didn’t want to laugh at some homophobic ‘gay’ jokes? Here’s some homophobic ‘gay’ jokes.)
You are a man. Definitely a white man. Why would you be searching for ‘gay’ if you’re not a white man?
All gay people have muscles and six packs, never wear clothes, and look promiscuous in public places.
Also, Nigel Farage doesn’t like you. Take it up with him.
Lesbians
‘Lesbians’? Oh, you’re probably a man looking to get off. Here’s some porn. Lesbians only exist to get men off.
Lesbian
(Suggestions: Did you mean ‘butch lesbian’? We keep those separately, and you won’t find any unless you specifically ask.)
You’re an actual lesbian? Oh right, okay then… you’re white, have long hair and wear make-up.
You also like having lots of sex in public places. Being a lesbian’s a bit trendy, so we’ve put everything in black-and-white, just like your Instagram filters.
Cara Delenvinge is also here. She might claim to be ‘bi-sexual’ or something, but we know better. Here she is.
Bisexual
Nice try, but we’ve rumbled you. You are a flag. You only exist in flag form.
People might claim that ‘bisexuals’ exist, but really they’re just big ol’ flags.
(Suggestions: Did you mean bisexual PEOPLE? I mean, I guess we have some stock images…)
Trans
(Suggestions: What?! Did you mean Trains? Transformers? You should be more careful when you type.)
Ooh, ooh, we know this one! You’re that cool Austrian diva who won Eurovision. She was trans, right?
She had a dress and beard and everything, so she must be. Here you go. Sorted.
We also have a few posh white dudes playing you in films. And Michelle Obama… Joan Rivers said it so it must be true!
