STAFF at a Sydney gay nightclub were told by Google that their venue was no longer eligible for display on Google Maps because it failed to meet ‘guidelines’.

Workers at The Shift Bar and Club were delivered the shock news late yesterday during a phone call to advise the online giant that they had slightly changed the venue’s name.

“In a conference call at the moment with Google as they are advising that they are removing The Midnight Shiftfrom Google ‘because it's a gay bar” and Google “no longer supports gay bars” and they will be doing it to other gay bars. So much for equality Google. This is actually insane!”, one contractor connected to the club said in a Facebook post.

Google then sent a confirmation email from a representative, believed to be from a call centre in India. The email has since been widely ciruclated on social media.

“Thanks for letting us know about getting your ‘The Shift Bar & Club’ business information up on Google Maps,” the email stated.

“We’ve looked into your account and it looks like your business is not eligible for display on Google Maps per our quality guidelines. Specifically, Gay night clubs.

“While I understand this can be frustrating, we want to make sure that your business identity is actually represented on Google, which ultimately helps improve how real users and potential customers interact with you business in the online world,” the representative from Google added.

“We have raised the request with our support team for its removal.”

Social media users were quick to react.

“This can’t be serious. Google’s a major sponsor for Mardi Gras and have always been for diversity. How can they possibly so blatantly discriminate? Insane,” one Facebook user wrote.

“You can google gay porn and gay dating sites so why cant u google gay bars!!!? And how is a gay bar any less of an establishment than a hetero bar!!?, another added.

Google released a statement this morning taking responsibility for the email, saying a breakdown in communication and training led to the incorrect information being sent.

A Google Australia spokeswoman said the company had always been a major supporter of the GLBT community,

“We’re truly sorry that this happened. Gay bars are welcome on Google Maps, as they have always been.

“We’re taking immediate action internally to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” she said.