APPLE DUMPS ‘GAY CURE’ APP

Apple has reportedly removed an iPhone app promoting “curing homosexuality” from its online store after 150,000 people signed a petition on Change.org calling for its removal.

LGBT activist group Truth Wins Out, which championed the petition, praised Apple for the move.

“Apple made a wise and responsible decision to dump an offensive app that demonised 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.”

The app was produced by Exodus International, an American Christian group that believes that gays and lesbians can be cured of their homosexuality, and offered users related news and other services.

According to Truth Wins Out, the Exodus’ app “was not only offensive, but it relied on twisting legitimate research in its effort to dehumanise LGBT people”. It cited as an example, Gary Remafedi, a researcher from the University of Minnesota, who also asked Apple to remove the app from its online store because he claimed it grossly distorted his work.

“This is not a question of free speech, but of stopping a virulently anti-gay organisation 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 victimiser 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.”