Local pastor claims discrimination by Google Ads

A local pastor who says an advertisement for his church was discriminated against by Google will now be able to run that ad after News Channel 3 started asking questions about their policies.

Brian King, the founder of Reignite Palm Springs, an affirming LGBT church, submitted an advertisement to Google Ads, which was initially approved, but ultimately did not run due to the decision of a Google Ads account representative.

According to the initial Google Ads decision, the concept of an LGBT-affirming church does fit within its terms and conditions.

“I’m here because we feel like there’s a discrimination issue because someone decided LGBT and Christian do not go together,” King told News Channel 3’s Lauren Coronado.

A Google spokesperson thanked News Channel 3 for bringing to their attention, saying that King’s account was mistakenly suspended :

“We have strict policies that govern the kinds of ads we allow on our platform, and we enforce those policies vigorously. When needed, we reconsider past decisions and act quickly to change them. This ad is now able to run.”