Truth Wins Out's Petition Urging Apple to Dump 'Ex-Gay' iPhone App Hits 20,000 Signatures

If Apple Does Not Respond, Press Conference Featuring Exodus Victims WillBe Held In Front of Apple's Offices

BURLINGTON, Vt., March 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Truth Wins Out today urged people to continue signing its Change.org petition to demand that Apple remove an offensive and scientifically bankrupt "ex-gay" iPhone app that was created by Exodus International, a group that believes people can and should "pray away the gay." Truth Wins Out also released a new video today highlighting why Apple should be socially responsible and remove the app.

Truth Wins Out has reached out to Apple several times, and the company has not yet responded. If Apple continues to bury its head in the sand, we will hold a press conference in front of their offices featuring sexual and spiritual abuse victims of "ex-gay" programs.

"If Apple does not respond, we will take steps to ensure that Apple meets the victims of 'ex-gay' ministries and learns how their lives were destroyed," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "It is astounding that Apple would allow an app from an organization that promotes gay exorcisms, demonizes LGBT people, and is rejected by every respected mental health association in America."

Surpassing the 20,000-signature threshold is important because Apple removed the anti-gay Manhattan Declaration app after only 7,730 petition signatures. The high number of participants who contacted Apple shows momentum and that the company's customer base is rightfully concerned that Apple is disseminating a product that has ruined many lives.

"Apple doesn't allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its store, yet it gives the green light to an app written by an anti-gay extremist group that targets vulnerable sexual-minority youth with the message that they are 'sinful' and 'perverse,'" said Truth Wins Out's Director of Communications and Development John Becker. "This is a double standard that should not stand."

Truth Wins Out wrote an op-ed for The Huffington Post that has led to a robust discussion on this topic. Please feel free to join the conversation.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism and the "ex-gay" myth. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

SOURCE Truth Wins Out