Apple has no problem with ‘anti-gay’ iPhone app despite 80,000 complaints

We’ve long been baffled by Apple’s erratic, censorial and sometimes moralistic App Store approval policies, but their approval of an iPhone and iPad app targeting “homosexual strugglers” really is head scratching stuff.

It’s just fine with Apple

Apple declared the app to have “no objectionable content” and has ignored a petition signed by over 80,000 people demanding that the (ahem) “gay cure” app be removed from the App Store.

Created by Exodus International, a pro-Christian, anti-gay bunch of charmers behind the “ex-gay” movement, the app encourages people to change their sexuality by offering, “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus.”

Change.org, the site leading the petition explains their opposition to the app:

Exodus’ message is hateful and bigoted. They claim to offer “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ” and use scare tactics, misinformation, stereotypes and distortions of LGBT life to recruit clients. They endorse the use of so-called “reparative therapy” to “change” the sexual orientation of their clients, despite the fact that this form of “therapy” has been rejected by every major professional medical organization including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Counseling Association. But reparative therapy isn’t just bad medicine — it’s also very damaging to the self-esteem and mental health of its victims.

The petition takes the form of an open letter to Steve Jobs, and says:

That’s why I am shocked that this same company has given the green light to an app from a notoriously anti-gay organization like Exodus International that uses scare tactics, misinformation, stereotypes and distortions of LGBT life to recruit clients, endorses the use of so-called “reparative therapy” to “change” the sexual orientation of their clients (despite the fact that this form of “therapy” has been roundly condemned by every major professional medical organization), and targets vulnerable, suicide-prone LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a “sin that will make your heart sick” and a “counterfeit,” contributing to and legitimizing the ostracism of these youth from their families.

Ben Summerskill, the chief executive of gay rights group Stonewall, was equally unimpressed, suggesting that, “Apple might consider thinking about their customer base and the penchant many lesbian and gay people have for ethical consumerism when endorsing an offensive app like this.”

You can sign the [Petition here]

Update 23rd March: After attracting more than 148,000 signatures,  Apple finally got around to removing the app from their store, although haven’t been troubled enough to make a statement about their decision.