Apple stands accused of homophobia today, after the release of an iPhone app that aims to ‘cure’ people of their homosexuality.
The app was created by Exodus International, a fundamentalist Christian organisation which claims to be, “the world’s largest ministry to individuals and families impacted by homosexuality”.
On its website, the ministry states that homosexuality is “outside of God’s will” and they believe it can be changed by a practice known as “reparative therapy”.
A petition has been launched by Truth Wins Out, an organisation that fights anti-gay religious extremism, asking Apple boss Steve Jobs to remove the app.
TWO writes that Apple has, “long been a friend of the LGBT community”, citing examples of the company’s involvement with the gay rights campaign such as their opposition to California’s Prop 8 and their removal of the homophobic Manhattan Declaration iPhone app.
They expressed shock that Apple has, “given the green light to an app from a notoriously anti-gay organisation”. TWO add that “reparative therapy” has been condemned by all major medical organisations.
The petition was launched last week and has already accumulated around 17,000 signatures. Yet the app is now available through iTunes and has a 4+ rating from Apple.
