Apple Under Fire For Approving 'Gay Cure' iPhone App From Exodus International

Apple is under fire for approving a controversial iPhone app created by a religious organization that seeks to help gay individuals become heterosexual.

The application, "Exodus International," was created by a ministry of the same name that says its mission is to "[mobilize] the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality."

The app's description notes, "With over 35 years of ministry experience, Exodus is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth."

It received a "4" rating from Apple, which indicates the company considered the app to contain "no objectionable material."

Yet many disagree with Apple's assessment and are demanding that it be removed.

"No objectionable content? We beg to differ," wrote TruthWinsOut.com. "Exodus' message is hateful and bigoted."

Change.org has launched an online petition calling for Apple to remove the app that has garned over 21,000 "signatures."

The app received 85 five-star reviews--the highest rating--from App Store users, but it also received nearly twice as many one-star reviews.

"What a shameful, deceptive app," wrote one user. "Disgusting."

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network posted March 15, Exodus International's Jeff Buchanan said the ministry had not yet had any direct contact with Apple regarding the app.

Apple's approval of the app is particularly noteworthy given that the company requires all apps submitted to the App Store be scrutinized and vetted by Apple itself. Last year, the company removed, without warning, thousands of "sexy" apps from the App Store. (See apps Apple has banned here)

Earlier this year, Apple was criticized for its approval of an application from the Manhattan Declaration, which encouraged users to take a stand against gay marriage. Apple later removed the app.

Comments

[SUnil MEena]

05:19 AM on 05/01/2011

try this site http://www.theipastore.com/

[MaggieWilliams82]

10:07 AM on 03/24/2011

I thought I would share some fun proof that "controversial" iphone apps can use their power for good, and that controversy doesn't have to be harmful. You could do a piece that really does question the "offensiveness" clause. It's tough to regulate humor...particularly when it comes to religion and politics.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/afterlife-afterpart...

http://www.prlog.org/11388048-new-afterlife-afterp...

It would be nice to do a piece on apps that are harmless fun that aren't traditional games for kids. This one is pretty good bait for a debate on what's serious....and what's not. Free speech and opinion shouldn't be squashed- all you have to do is not buy the thing if you don't find it entertaining.

[loubque]

12:36 PM on 03/23/2011

This is dispicable. I am a gay man. If I want to be cured let me download the app. But I dont want to be cured and I want people to download what they want. I want to be able to download what I want. Do not tell me I cannot download gay themed apps because the christian right doesnt like them. How can the left expect the same?

[JustCranky]

04:45 PM on 04/08/2011

I believe the point you are missing, is that the app is offensive because it alleges that you CAN be cured of being gay. If you download a gay themed app, the Christian right would oppose it because it’s “wrong” and not because it is ineffective, and contradictory to, well, reality. My suggestion to all is, If you WANT to be cured, and think that you CAN be cured using the teachings of the Bible - THEN USE THE BIBLE. Or even better, a Bible APP!

[loubque]

06:28 PM on 04/08/2011

I am not missing the point. Its effectiveness is not the ponit. Its right to be there for people to download at THEIR will is the point, and I would never take that away from somebody. I am not god or a judge. Last I gathered neither were you.

[talkstocoyotes]

10:15 AM on 03/23/2011

As of Wednesday morning, Apple has removed the app.

The petition launched by Truth Wins Out had over 100,000 signatures. Additionally, Dr. Gary Remafedi, director of the Youth and AIDS Projects and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, had sent an email to Steve Jobs and Tim Cook objecting to it and stating that his research had been distorted. He referred to the objections from other medical professionals to "ex-gay" programs in general:

"Various professional organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have taken the position that homosexuality is not a mental or physical condition. Programs which aim to change sexual orientation have been opposed because they are unwarranted, ineffective, unethical, and harmful."

See http://www.startribune.com/local/118375029.html

http://www.truthwinsout.org/pressreleases/2011/03/15518/

http://gayrights.einnews.com/pr-news/355749-scientist-calls-on-apple-to-remove-ex-gay-app-that-distorts-his-research (text of Dr. Remafedi's letter)

[XPLSV]

03:29 PM on 03/22/2011

If gays have the right to make parades and gyrate while being half naked for all to see, then these Christians have the right to develop and sell their little app. Just don't buy the thing if you don't like it. Simple.

[rdowli]

12:53 AM on 03/23/2011

Right. Cause heterosexuals don't do that at their parades & festivals. I'm thinking of Mardi Gras, & Gasparilla here in Florida.

[Patrick Romandy-Simmons]

02:49 AM on 03/23/2011

And heterosexuals never behave like that...spring break...mardi gras...girls gone wild...do they?

[edgeninja]

10:24 AM on 03/22/2011

Imagine the outrage if someone released a "Christian Cure" app.

[onionboy]

03:05 PM on 03/22/2011

I would not be outraged by that.

Relieved.

[JustCranky]

04:58 PM on 04/08/2011

Except It ALSO wouldnt work!

[Jerry Foster]

06:42 AM on 03/22/2011

You guys are all scared for the teenagers? Really? Let's see - I've read so far that they are mentally fragile, unstable, easily mislead, etc., etc. It's ironic, really. If I stand up and say "You know, we really shouldn't be selling violent and sexual M-rated games to teenagers, and we should pass laws to enforce that standard," everybody starts screaming about first-amendment rights, claiming media can't influence kids, making statements like, "Well I played violent/sexual games and it never hurt me!"

So, which one is it? Does media and sexual content cause teenagers to be confused and misled, or not? Sorry, you can't have it both ways just because you disagree with the content of one.

Methinks the hypocrites here doth protest too much.

[Shane Pinkerton]

06:38 PM on 03/21/2011

I think i've bought my last iphone.

[Brock Peters III]

05:42 PM on 03/21/2011

Aw, now how am I gonna cure my gay without the app?

[Lex Ryan]

03:54 PM on 03/21/2011

THIS IS SO DUMB ON APPLES PART. IF ALL THE LGBT DECIDED TO BACK OUT OF APPLE IT WOULD BE RUINED....THATS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT APPLE!

[Brock Peters III]

05:42 PM on 03/21/2011

Are you saying the majority of Apple's consumer base is queer?

[PietroSperoni]

10:18 AM on 03/21/2011

How silly to protest for something like that. Instead make a counter-app that cure people from believing silly and unrealistic things.

[Sarah Elizabeth Duran]

09:44 AM on 03/21/2011

We don't need corporations to censor content. Just like we don't need laws that enforce common sense either. Who will actually download this app; not my gay friends... they will just laugh.

[SuzanneZ]

02:45 PM on 03/21/2011

Of course stable adult openly gay people will laugh at this, those are not the people who will be harmed by it.

It's teenagers and the mentally fragile who get involved with these things, and they are extremely vulnerable. Gay teenage suicide is a huge problem as it is.

[eilish]

04:20 PM on 03/21/2011

Thus parents need to be aware and supportive, but so many are in denial that they harm their children needlessly. I was so thankful that even as a Mormon I was aware of my son's needs and raised him with no real differences from his brothers. My kids were very much aware that they could tell me anything without fear (other than the joyride the eldest took in someone's car).

My son told me he didn't choose it at age 17. I told him relationships might be more difficult for him but they are always worth it, just as his worth is great to me and God.

I had to leave the Mormon church because it was hurting him so as a teen. It was no real hardship to me, I thought it was bunk, but my family back 3 generations were members and it was difficult for them.

[Sarah Elizabeth Duran]

06:12 PM on 03/21/2011

The U.S. Supreme Court and delegated committees decide what is obscene content appropriate for the public, and a gay cure is not considered in that category. Don't be upset at Apple. Petition if you feel it is detrimental to minors psyche's. That actually seems like a good argument.

[anastasialyrae]

04:17 PM on 03/21/2011

Apple routinely censors content in the app store. If breasts are not ok, than hate should be out too, 'cause that's a whole lot more offensive than glands for feeding babies.

[Fenrox]

05:35 PM on 03/21/2011

Right!?

[Sarah Elizabeth Duran]

06:10 PM on 03/21/2011

Okay, so your perspective is breasts are glands for feeding babies, others perspectives are that a cure for homosexuality is humorous. It's all in how you view it. It is not Apple's job to be the judge and jury.

[grandpappy]

08:50 AM on 03/21/2011

I bought the Exodus app for a gay friend of mine and wouldn't ya know it, he went straight and ran off with my wife... I hate Apple. ;>}

[eilish]

04:21 PM on 03/21/2011

Best laugh of the day.

[StevenKeirstead]

08:29 AM on 03/21/2011

Because the Exodus International app is little more than a wrapper for their website, even if Apple decides to get rid of it, people will still be able to use Safari to visit the Exodus International website if they choose to do so. So banning the app would not do much to limit the mendacious speech of Exodus. Masochistic self-loathing gay Christians will still be able to seek out Exodus' disproven ideas about changing sexual orientation which works for so few of their clients and causes most of them considerable psychological pain. Apple is under no legal obligation to keep distributing the app.

[SuzanneZ]

02:49 PM on 03/21/2011

No, no one is saying they have a legal obligation to do anything, they don't - instead we are trying to put moral and social pressure on them to withdraw it voluntarily.

We are also not saying that anyone can (or should be able to) stop Exodus from stating what they want on their website, but like you said, the app is a wrapper for their site, and it'll lead vulnerable people to them. Especially young people.

[StevenKeirstead]

12:44 PM on 03/22/2011

I agree with you 100%. I hope Apple will stop distributing the Exodus International app, because it does promote a harmful, anti-scientific, falsely-compassionate message. If anyone is still compelled to seek out Exodus, they can Google them or bookmark the Exodus website. Afterward, they may need help from accredited, gay-friendly, mental health professionals to repair Exodus-delivered damage.

[drularter]

07:05 AM on 03/21/2011

It is known that "ex-gays" have a high chance of social rejection and suicide. With the current things that are going on with teens that are coming out, or perceived as LGBT, being bullying and attacked, this app will most likely cause more damage than any good that it could aim for.