Truth Wins Out, a non-profit gay rights activist group, is taking Apple to task for allowing Exodus International, a Christian group in favor of conversion therapy, to create an app for their various devices and sell it in their app store. TWO says EI's “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus” message is “hateful and bigoted,” and comes at the worst possible time. TWO's even accused EI of targeting teens with their message in the wake of a rash of LGBT teen suicides.
In a petition on Change.org, TWO calls on Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other executives to pull the app. “Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it is giving the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a ‘sin that will make your heart sick’ and a ‘counterfeit.’ This is a double standard that has the potential for devastating consequences.”
Seems quite a few people agree with the TWO. The petition had more than 127,000 signatures as of this morning. A University of Minnesota scientist also wrote a letter to Apple, saying that Exodus International's "ex-gay" app flies in the face of science, and violates the ethical codes and positions of virtually every major medical and mental health organization.
Late last year, Apple faced a similar issue when Manhattan Declaration, a group that speaks out against gay marriage, put out an app. Apple removed the app saying it “violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”
And hey, no big deal if Apple decides not to back down. TWO's just gonna storm the castle.
In a petition on Change.org, TWO calls on Apple CEO Steve Jobs and other executives to pull the app. “Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it is giving the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a ‘sin that will make your heart sick’ and a ‘counterfeit.’ This is a double standard that has the potential for devastating consequences.”
Seems quite a few people agree with the TWO. The petition had more than 127,000 signatures as of this morning. A University of Minnesota scientist also wrote a letter to Apple, saying that Exodus International's "ex-gay" app flies in the face of science, and violates the ethical codes and positions of virtually every major medical and mental health organization.
Late last year, Apple faced a similar issue when Manhattan Declaration, a group that speaks out against gay marriage, put out an app. Apple removed the app saying it “violates our developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”
And hey, no big deal if Apple decides not to back down. TWO's just gonna storm the castle.
Like most things in life, it's fairly simple - If you don't like the app, then don't install it!!! Likewise, if you don't like the TV show, then don't watch it! I've been on the gay rights side long before it was fashionable to be so, but I'm really getting ticked off with the "goad them into submission" grouping in things nowadays. Some people do NOT agree with homosexuality, that's cool....free thought and speech are great! Too many people are trying to squash anyone who doesn't believe as they do these days and I'm really getting sick of it - have given up on several activism ventures because of it as well.
If someone wants to put this app out, then that is their ignorance - more power to them. If someone actually wants to install it, then more power to them as well - although I can't see someone with such a Neanderthalithic attitude even being able to operate an iPhone.
Just uuugh. I mean seriously, theres no reason to create an app like that. -.-
Word on the street is this app has been pulled from the app store.
I do not see it in there myself.
Apple has a good track record of removing such apps, even if they're improperly approved in the first place.