News (USA)

Google unblocks ‘bisexual’ from list of banned search results

Google unblocks ‘bisexual’ from list of banned search results

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Without fanfare, internet search giant Google on Tuesday quietly unblocked the term “bisexual” from its search engine results.

Prior to the change, Google had associated “bisexual” with pornography, and the search giant added the term or associated word groupings to its list of banned terms in 2009.

Bisexual pride flag.
As a result, bisexual advocacy organizations, resource websites and community groups that cater to the bisexual community saw a significant drop in search rankings, according to Faith Cheltenham, a Los Angeles based web media producer who’s also the President of BiNet USA, the national non-profit advocacy organization “and voice for bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer-identified” people.

Cheltenham’s group successfully petitioned Google to change its policies.

After Google unblocked the term “bisexual,” phrases such as “bisexual quotes,” “bisexual rights,” and “bisexual parenting” are now automatically suggested to Google users as of this month.

“It’s not every day one of the biggest companies in the world changes its mind, but we are thankful that Google now sees bisexual people just like everyone else.”

“It will take time for bisexual search terms to be ranked as they were before the ban, but now bisexual people and their allies have a fighting chance to be seen, heard, and understood,” said Cheltenham.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Gay college football player kicked off team after kissing boyfriend in press box

Previous article

Transgender advocacy group condemns planned ‘Anderson Live’ segment

Next article