Apple Pulls Exodus Group's 'Gay-Cure' App From iTunes Store
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Apple has dumped a controversial "gay-cure" iPhone app launched by Exodus International after thousands of people signed an online petition demanding the company remove it.
Wayne Besen, the executive director of Truth Wins Out, said Apple made the right decision.
"They listened to their customers and they are taking this incredibly hateful anti-gay app off the shelf and they should be applauded for it," Besen told 1010 WINS. "Hopefully such an app won't slip through the cracks in the future."
Exodus International claimed the app was "designed to be a useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders" providing access to current news, information, and resources from the group.
According to its website, the ministry believes "homosexuality to be a multi-causal, developmental issue and that any individual can experience freedom through the support of caring individuals and the healing power of Jesus Christ."
Truth Wins Out said the group's message is "hateful and bigoted" and that the ministry commonly uses scare tactics, misinformation and stereotypes of LGBT life to recruit clients.
"This group believes they can pray away the gay, it's incredibly offensive to gay and lesbian Americans," Besen said.
Over 151,000 people signed a Truth Wins Out petition on Change.org which stated that Apple was supporting homophobia by having the app available in the iTunes store.
"It's a good thing that this app was pulled because it's incredibly offensive, it has tons of misinformation and is really just a smear campaign against the gay and lesbian community," Besen said.
Truth Wins Out claimed Exodus' app relied on twisting legitimate research in its effort to dehumanize LGBT people.
"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," John Becker, Truth Wins Out's Director of Communications and Development, said in a statement. "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."
Besen said they were surprised and pleased to find out the app had been pulled off the shelves Tuesday night.
"Apple understood their customer base and they saw that their base was dissatisfied," Besen said.
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