Well, well. Interesting story in the Guardian.
Apple is under fire from gay rights activists after it approved an iPhone and iPad app targeting “homosexual strugglers”.
More than 80,000 people have signed a petition against the so-called “gay cure” app, which Apple deemed to have “no objectionable content”.
Exodus International, the pro-Christian group behind the app, promotes the “ex-gay” movement, encouraging people to change their sexuality. The app gives users “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus”, according to the group.
Apple had not returned a request for comment at the time of publication.
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights group Stonewall, said: “At Stonewall, we’ve all been on this app since 8am and we can assure your readers it’s having absolutely no effect.”
That’s a nice witty response. But it looks to me like Apple blundered in passing this App for distribution. As a petition from Change.org puts it:
“Apple doesn’t allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it gives 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. Apple needs to be told, loud and clear, that this is unacceptable.”