Apple Dumps 'Gay Cure' iPhone App After 146,000 People Sign Petition Calling for Its Removal

Truth Wins Out and Change.org Praise Apple For Wise and Responsible Decision To Remove Anti-Gay iPhone App  

BURLINGTON, Vt., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Truth Wins Out and Change.org praised Apple today after the company removed a virulently anti-gay iPhone app launched by Exodus International that promoted "curing" gay people. The move came after 146,000 people signed a Truth Wins Out petition on Change.org calling on Apple to remove the app from iTunes.  

"Apple made a wise and responsible decision to dump an offensive app that demonized gay and lesbian people," said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. "The real winners today are LGBT youth who are safer and less at risk for receiving Exodus' malice and misinformation."

"We're thrilled that Apple has removed this 'gay cure' app from the iTunes store after more than 146,000 people signed this petition," said Mike Jones, Editor at Change.org, the platform used by Truth Wins Out to launch the petition. "The message Apple is sending here is clear: there is no place for 'ex-gay therapy' on the Apple platform."

Exodus' app was not only offensive, but it relied on twisting legitimate research in its effort to dehumanize LGBT people. For example, Gary Remafedi, a researcher from the University of Minnesota, asked Apple earlier in the week to remove Exodus International's app from its online store because he claimed it grossly distorted his work.

Apple's move to drop the app brings it in line with every respected mental health organization in the nation. The American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and American Counseling Association have all rejected "ex-gay" therapy, saying that it can result in serious harm to the mental health of its victims.

"This is not a question of free speech, but of stopping a virulently anti-gay organization from peddling false speech at the expense of vulnerable LGBT youth," said John Becker, Truth Wins Out's Director of Communications and Development. "Exodus may pose as the victim, but they are a victimizer that has left a trail of shattered lives and broken families. We are grateful that Exodus has lost at least one platform with which to disperse its dangerous message."

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.

Change.org is the world's fastest growing platform for social change, with more than 3 million readers a month. Change.org provides daily news and information about important social issues and empowers people to take action.

SOURCE Truth Wins Out