Neither the English version nor the original French version ("Mon Fils Est-Il Gay?") of the app currently appears in the Android Market, leading AllOut.org to send out an email declaring victory over an application they viewed as "being homophobic and relying on stereotypes."
“We are pleased that Google developers have heard the voice of the LGBT community and pulled the app," read the statement from AllOut.org co-founder Andre Banks. "Apps such as these are outrageous and only serve to further negative stereotypes and homophobia.”
"Is My Son Gay?" advertised itself as an app for parents who wanted to learn whether or not their child was homosexual; the parents would answer 20 'Yes' or 'No' questions about their kid's personality, habits and friends, and the app would then calculate the results and inform them whether or not their child was, in fact, gay. Many of the questions--such as "Does he like diva singers?" and "Does he watch football?"--were taken as crude and offensive, though the app's developers, a French team called Emmene Moi, told the Huffington Post that people were overreacting and taking the app too seriously:
"This app was conceived with a playful approach," they wrote in an emailed statement when the story initially broke. "It is not based at all on scientific research... Through humor, 'Is My Son Gay?' and the forthcoming novel have the sole objective of toning down/improving the situation and helping mothers to accept their sons' homosexuality."
Google, apparently, did not find the app funny, siding with those that found the app offensive and removing it from the Android Market. Again, here is the rule from the Android Developer Program Policies that "Is My Son Gay?" may have violated:
Hate Speech: We don't allow the promotion of hatred toward groups of people based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity.
We have reached out to both Google and the developers Emmene Moi for comment. Below, vote in our poll and view some other controversial apps that have hit smartphones through the years:
Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll
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Smuggle Truck: Operation Immigrant
Boston-based developer Owlchemy Labs irked immigrant advocate groups with this iPhone game that allows users to drive a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/28/smuggle-truck-operation-immigration-rejected-by-apple_n_854899.html" target="_hplink">truck full of immigrants</a> through the desert. According to the AP, "[Developer Alex] Schwartz said he wanted to bring attention to immigration issues." But Apple banned the app from the App Store.
Phantom Alert
U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer, Frank Lautenberg, Tom Udall and Harry Reid pressured Apple, Google and RIM earlier this spring to remove smartphone apps that notify users of nearby police <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/23/senators-ask-apple-to-ban-dui-checkpoint-alert-apps_n_839300.html" target="_hplink">DUI checkpoints</a>. Apple and RIM have since <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/apple-dui-checkpoint-apps-ban_n_874532.html" target="_hplink">complied</a> with the Seantors' demands and cracked on so-called "DUI checkpoint" apps, but Google has yet to take action.
Exodus International
Despite initially passing Apple's standards, the allegedly anti-gay messages promoted by the app "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/23/apple-exodus-international-app_n_839448.html" target="_hplink">Exodus International</a>" outraged thousands of customers. The Exodus International ministry, from which the app takes its name, <a href="http://blog.exodusinternational.org/about/http://blog.exodusinternational.org/about/" target="_hplink">promotes</a> "freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ." After more than 150,000 signatures were gathered for an online petition, Apple removed the app from the App Store entirely.
Playboy
Hugh Hefner claimed in January that "Playboy" would soon come <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/21/playboy-ipad-app-blocked-_n_812489.html" target="_hplink">uncensored on the iPad</a>. Apple, however, remains firm on its nudity-free policy within the App Store and forced "Playboy" to resort to a low resolution web app instead.
Wikileaks
The <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/12/20/apple-removes-wikileaks-app-from-app-store/" target="_hplink">unofficial WikiLeaks application</a> lasted only three days in the App Store before being banned by Apple.
'The Importance Of Being Earnest'
Apparently Apple's censors worried that Tom Bouden's graphic novel version of Oscar Wilde's <em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/14/apple-censors-gay-kiss-in_n_611553.html" target="_hplink">The Importance of Being Earnest</a></em>, which portrays illustrations of nude or partially nude men embracing, would be too objectionable for too many users. Apple approved the app, but only with black boxes covering controversial frames. However, the App Store later reversed its decision and passed the app without the censor bars.
Big Brother Camera Security
In 2010, Apple approved the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/15/apple-bans-big-brother-camera-security-iphone-passcodes_n_877481.html" target="_hplink">Big Brother Camera Security app</a>, which lets users remotely photograph someone who is improperly trying to access their stolen or lost iPhone. In June 2010, however, the app was removed from the App Store following accusations that the developer was "surreptitiously harvesting user passwords."
ThirdIntifada
Apple removed the app called "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/23/apple-removes-anti-israel-thirdintifada-app_n_882857.html" target="_hplink">ThirdIntifada</a>" from the App Store, following complaints made by Israel's information minister, Yuli Edelstein and Jewish human rights group Simon Wiesenthal Center. The app was said to promote violence against Israel, according to claims.
Manhattan Declaration
Apple initially approved so-called "anti-gay" app <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/24/apple-manhattan-declaration-app_n_788075.html" target="_hplink">Manhattan Declaration</a>, but the App Store later removed the program following a wave of complaints--and a petition--from outraged customers. The app asked users to sign a "declaration," which according to the app "speaks in defense of the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty."
The controversial "Is My Son Gay?" app has been pulled from the Android Market, according to LGBT advocacy group AllOut.org.
Neither the English version nor the original French version ("Mon Fils E...
The controversial "Is My Son Gay?" app has been pulled from the Android Market, according to LGBT advocacy group AllOut.org.
Neither the English version nor the original French version ("Mon Fils E...
Perhaps we secretly miss the homophobia of days gone by, and thus are more than happy to perpetuate it among ourselves, or maybe it's all those years of being ostracised which make the gay man strive to fit in.
In our own lives we are aware of gross injustices and events that have happened to us, but we take the little injustices for granted. But just like major traumas in life, little incidents and ongoing conditions can affect us seriously, even insidiously.
Clearly, the loving and inclusive rhetoric of some mainstream Christians is fruitful. The million-dollar question is how do we get such voices to multiply and amplify?
Let's have a new holiday -- National Let Your Boy Be a Girl Day -- that lets boys be, well, girls for a day. Because every other day of the year they have to make sure they are not girls.
Found this story through the front page title 'Google yanks gay app'.
Not quite what I was expecting. Out of interest, if the app had been 'how to tell if your son is a [n-word]', would the title have been 'Google yanks black app'? Perhaps you might have chosen a more appropriate wording.
Jherad: Found this story through the front page title 'Google yanks
I think that in these difficult times, it is not easy for people to distinguish the difference between good and bad when its comes to such moral issues as premarital sex, drug abuse, gay rights, abortion, euthanasia, etc.
I consider myself very lucky because I practice Falun Gong, which allows me to know the difference between right and wrong and Falun Gong has answered and is still answering my many questions about life.
It is a free practice with tens of millions of practitioners Worldwide. Thank you.
Jeff_Forsythe: I think that in these difficult times, it is not
I listened to the app questions, and was struck by how steriotypical the presumptions were about "gay" behavior. Attention to personal groom is gay? I guess the time I spent with my stepson as he explored the bizarre nuances of learning how to shave properly was a "gay moment"?
I served as an Infantry officer in Vietnam, several generations ago. My commanding officer was brash, bold, a man's man, tracked on football scores stateside, had easy camaraderie with his troops and was a skilled combat leader. He kept me out of deep s*** on more than one of my less functionally literate moments...... and I discovered that he was, to use the term that was common then, "swish". That discovery shattered every stereotype about gay men that I might have had..... and has been a precaution ever since to NOT assume that effeminacy, or taste in clothing, or an interest in Broadway musicals is a "sign of gayness", nor is a love of sports, slovenly personal grooming and lousy taste in clothing a sign of "straightness".
This app, whatever the intent was, backfired, for me, because it rings out the trite, classic, standard stereotypes of behavior. It also suggests that adult parents might have such a superficial relationship with their children that this app actually has functional meaning or value.... playing twenty questions to determine whether your son is gay is an indicaiton that the lines of communication deteriorated some time ago...
vonric: I listened to the app questions, and was struck by
As the mother of a gay son, I knew he was before he 'came out' to me and surely would not have needed a Google app to determine the issue. As you say, any parent with a true, functioning relationship with their child just knows.
Your son is lucky to have an aware and thoughtful mother.... am sure that his personal journey of self awareness and discovery will occur in a more thoughtful and more self-accepting frame as a result!
vonric: Your son is lucky to have an aware and thoughtful
"This app was conceived with a playful approach..."
No. This app was conceived with a ham-handed, juvenile, homophobic approach of the losers who created it.
However, I wouldn't mind seeing an app which asked, "Is my son a Republlican and going to run for Congress?" That possibility represents a bigger threat, in my opinion.l
rockysparks: "This app was conceived with a playful approach..." No. This
I guess most Americans flunked civics class. Google is NOT public domain, it's a private company and can censor anything they want. No, it's not 'infringing' on your rights, no one is forcing you to use ipod marketplace or google apps, you are using their products and agreeing to their terms.
Although ironically enough the people who complain so much about censorship are usually the ones spewing hate themselves, how about a little self control huh?
monkeyshine89: I guess most Americans flunked civics class. Google is NOT
Ultimately it doesn't make any difference whether your son is gay or straight. Do you love your son? Is he happy and successful in life? These are the only questions that matter.
speedydan79: Ultimately it doesn't make any difference whether your son is
Yeah, censorship will solve the problem won't it? Less freedom is always a good thing according to some... Hitler would totally agree with those libs that love censorship in the name of the common good.
Elitist_Not: Yeah, censorship will solve the problem won't it? Less freedom
It's a company, it's not like anyone forced them to remove it. It's funny those that keep screaming 'censorship' are usually the ones who are spewing the most hate.
monkeyshine89: It's a company, it's not like anyone forced them to
Google is a private corporation
As a private corporation they can sell what they want, incluing a (stupid steriotype-reinforcing app)
As a private corporation, they can listen to their consumer base, which indicated that they thought this particular app was silly and stupid
So, with that in mind, rather than listen to some right wing blogger (I bet Rush Limbaugh LOVED it) they pulled the app.
Yoru comarison of libs to Hitler is a fascinating one for this lib former Infrantry officer.
Go over to the thread on Sarah Palin's withdrawal from a race she had not entered and weep
vonric: Google is a private corporation As a private corporation they
Why shame on Google? It is a company and as such has the right to either stock or remove products from its shelves. Just like your local supermarket. Do you go there and insist that they stock a particular item and if it is not stocked do you yowl about censorship? Of course not. So why do you presume that cyber companies are different?
xenas_mom: Why shame on Google? It is a company and as
It's not censorship. Let's say you create a company that you privately own. You allow the public to contribute to what you sell for a fee. Someone comes along and tries to sell something that you personally dislike and start receiving a lot of complaints about it. You can choose to let people associate you with this thing you don't agree with, boycott you, and label you as this thing you disagree with OR you can remove that person's contributions. As the private owner of that company, it is your choice to make.
Google made a choice you disagree with, but that does not make it censorship. It is not public domain. We do not own this. Google owns it, they can decide what they offer and what they don't. Same goes for Apple.
Oneandoneandone: It's not censorship. Let's say you create a company that
The French are much more tolerant towards the LGBT population than the US is. I understand they thought this was a humorous app. However here in the US it could easily be considered offensive and in fact attract offensive remarks and prejudices. I am glad they pulled the app and I fear it will be many more years before "gay" humor becomes something to laugh at and not the derogatory remarks they are currently meant and taken to be.
cam1002: The French are much more tolerant towards the LGBT population
The press was entirely snookered by this PR stunt, and by an author who was simply trying to get publicity for his novel. Don't we all have gay on our faces now? I mean, egg. (Campy humor is a sign of homosexuality, I should add.)
miamorphos: The press was entirely snookered by this PR stunt, and
Seriously - this was an app that was designed to be funny and for many people it wasn't...if it is a violation of Apps rules and regulations it should have been pulled form the marketplace. As always consumers have the ability to allow their feet to do their talking for them by not shopping where they are offended.
h111aryc1inton: So is using the word "campy". Seriously - this was
Campy humor as a sign of homosexuality is the purview of campy homosexuals, when adapted by straight folks, it is goofy....silly and prejudicial. I can listen to a couple of my gay friends "camp it up" and know that if I used that same language with them, it would ring as hollow as a Sarah Palin campaign promise to stay in whatever elected office she wins.
I can listen to terms my black colleagues use in relation to each other and know that as a (predominantly) white male, I could no more use that language than fly to the moon.
I listened to the entire questionnaire, and concluded that after one engagement, several extended relationships and a marriage of 26 years, I must be gay.....I will be breaking the news gently to my wife sometime this evening.
And, based on the pre-book palaver, I won't be buying the book.
vonric: Campy humor as a sign of homosexuality is the purview
I'm not sure who you're calling "straight folks," but if you want me to read you like a drag queen, honey, I'm on it.
The app was not intended to diagnose homosexuality or to be funny -- it was designed to generate publicity for a work of fiction about LGBT issues within the family. And that campaign worked. Hence me saying that everyone was snookered. People who took the app thinking it was a serious diagnostic battery, that's just -- that's just not thinking on your feet, now, is it.
miamorphos: I'm not sure who you're calling "straight folks," but if
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The Huffington Post Jason O. Gilbert First Posted: 10/05/11 06:09 PM ET Updated: 12/05/11 05:12 AM ET