∞ 88,000 sign petition against 'gay cure' iPhone app

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More than 88,000 people have signed a petition asking Apple to remove the so-called “gay-cure” app from its App Store.

[ad#Google Adsense 300x250 in story]Exodus International says its app “is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth.” But that’s certainly not how everyone sees the app.

“Exodus’ message is hateful and bigoted,” according to the petition. “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.

The petition is asking Apple to remove the app from the App Store.

“Apple doesn’t allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it is giving 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.


  • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

    It’s bad that an app like this actually made i into the App Store.

  • http://twitter.com/gnomehole The Gnome

    Yet if someone were to submit a pro gay app and Apple were to reject it, they would be all over that too.

    Hypocritical.

    • Gustav

      The problem is not that this app is pro-heterosexural, it’s that it’s anti-gay. Do you not see the difference. If a pro-gay app spread misinformation and hatred against heterosexuals and perpetuated stereotypes, it would be a problem if Apple put it on the app store.

      This app uses lies, and stereotypes to spread hatred. For God’s sake, it portrays homosexuality as a disease that must be cured! It’s no more a disease than having a specific colour of hair. If the reports of it offering “therapy” is true, then it’s also fraudulent as there is no known way to change a person’s sexual orientation. It’s equivalent to “grow-your-member” SPAM we’ve all seen in our inboxes.

      • Theothersideofthequestion

        “it’s also fraudulent as there is no known way to change a person’s sexual orientation”

        So do you have any sources to back up that rather bold claim?

        • http://luo.ma TJ Luoma

          This isn’t a bold claim to anyone who doesn’t have a predisposition to believe it, but this ought to suffice:

          “The American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates.”

          Perhaps the better question is: “What scientific, peer-reviewed proof do you have that sexual orientation can be changed?”

          • Theothersideofthequestion

            That’s a solid source. It was actually an honest question.

        • YossarianLives

          Got any evidence that backs up the bold claim of the assertion of “heterosexuality as God’s creative intent for humanity”? (source: Exod.Int site) Did God actually write the book?

          No evidence????? Don’t worry. Religion has relied on lack of evidence for at least 2000 years so I’m not expecting you to provide any now.

      • Theothersideofthequestion

        Interesting you should bring up hair colour as like hair colour, sexual preference can be directed by the presence or lack of various hormones such as testosterone during foetal formation.

        • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

          But other than dangerous hormone therapy during pregnancy, there’s no way to influence whether your kid is going to be homosexual or not.

          Being homosexual or not is, as you said, decided during pregnancy and not something that can be changed through behavioural therapy.
          Just as being left handed can’t be “cured”, you can just force people to learn to write with both hands.

          • Dee D

            Yes correct

            Sexual relationships are learned — it is not an easy behavior to develop in our society —

            Example — some ancient societys (and maybe some native) the middle-aged women would “teach” the young adult men about the experiences of male/female sexuality and affection

            look it up — open your eyes — don’t join the cult — any cult

          • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

            You’re not making any sense.

            Sexual relationships have nothing to do with homosexuality.

            And what’s that cult stuff you’re talking about?

      • Pete

        By your reasoning Apple should ban the Bible from their store too.

        Why can’t you understand that the Exodus’ app is meant to help devout believers, such as priests, who are suffering from such diseases.

        • Gustav

          No actual diseases are mentioned here. Just benign characteristics of people. If homosexuality is a disease, then so it hair colour, number of freckles on your cheek, or your preference for ice cream flavour.

        • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

          I consider the Dunning-Kruger Effect to be a disease, too.

        • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

          Homosexuality is not a disease. Fundamentalistic interpretations of religion are diseases.

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      How do you define “pro-gay”? Are you under the impression there’s recruiting going on for anything more than equal treatment under the law?

      • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

        Whenever something like this comes up, a quote pops into my head — which I can’t attribute, for which I’m sorry:

        “The freedom of an individual ends where the freedom of another individual begins.”

        Exercising your religious freedoms at the expense of other’s is simply not right.
        I’m sure there are enough boneheads in the gay community, just as there are many boneheads in the Apple community, but being pro-something doesn’t mean you have to be against-something-else.

    • Anonymous

      A pro-gay app is not the opposite of an anti-gay app. The opposite here is an anti-straight app. What if Apple were selling an app that purported to cure heterosexuals of their “sin” of falling in love with other heterosexuals? That is the question you should be asking yourself.

  • Brad

    Yeah, this is a Catch-22 for Apple. They were damned if they accepted it, and damned if they didn’t.

    • Anonymous

      I’d rather be damned by the hate-mongers that created this App, thank you very much.

      • Pete

        They are just following the teachings of their God. Are you calling God of Abraham and Moses a hate-monger?

        Don’t we have religious freedom in this country? God says it’s a sin, then it’s a sin. Case closed.

        • Gustav

          If you agree we have religious freedom, then you must accept those who have a different religion than yours, or none at all. Only your God says it’s a sin. Not mine.

          • Arc

            Everyone’s God calls homosexuality a sin.

          • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

            Nope, not mine, so you’re wrong.

            Also: You’re an idiot.

          • Peter Cohen

            Not mine. Cthulhu isn’t so judgmental.

          • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

            And the flying Spaghetti Monster only objects to overuse of parmesan on meatballs.

        • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

          Actually God didn’t say anything. People who wrote a book about what God supposedly said did.

          The Bible also teaches universal, unquestioning love, acceptance and forgiveness, but I don’t see much of that on their site.

        • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

          Considering how often that god demanded proof of loyalty and lashed out against obedient worshipers anyway, I consider him vindictive, petty, and untrustworthy. Says a lot more about the people who wrote the book than about its subject.

  • Theothersideofthequestion

    Actually, from looking at Exodus International’s website, I don’t see any hate but rather a message of love and a desire to help, but of course that is ignored in the chorus of condemnation.

    Instead the gay lobby is desperate to censor free speech.

    There is no hate here, but I think a desire to present an alternative view of sexuality and give those who decide on homosexuality as a choice (rather than an innate desire), the opportunity to reconsider.

    It’s rather sad that only the outrage of one side is reported in most media coverage without the other side being allowed a voice at all.

    Apple is quite brave to stand up to the message of intolerance coming from Stonewall and others, but sadly they’ll probably end up caving in.

    • Dee D

      Agreed – read any similar story and you get one sided information from the pro-gay

      The pro-gay movement seems to be very much like a religion – which needs new members (no pun intended)

      Sexual desire like any habit (food ect) is influenced by our behavioral neural chemistry – we are basically Chemical Computers – hence just like a computer our habits can be re-programmed.

      I don’t agree with tying it to Christianity tho – just look at the science – the TRUTH is out there

      • Jim

        “hence just like a computer our habits can be re-programmed”

        But the question is why should we re-program anyone who is gay? What are they doing to hurt you?

    • http://www.powerwatchers.com/ Dean Lewis

      You know who else spoke from a message of love and a desire to help? Bigots who said people of different races better not get married because they would be bringing all that hate on themselves, And think of the children! Those mixed race kids would have such trouble in school and life! How could you possibly want to do that to a child? So, better to not marry and stick to your own race — or so they would say out of love and concern for the people in love and their future children.

      It was bigoted b.s. then and this is bigoted b.s. now.

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      The message is actually one of exclusion from salvation and a desire to recruit fund-raisers. It’s often couched in pleasant-sounding language, but the ultimate aim is to create a dependency in the emotionally vulnerable for group approval, then threaten its removal for nonconformity.

      Not all points of view deserve equivalent consideration when you can find demonstrably hypocritical behavior hiding behind skillful marketing.

  • Ricketts.

    Good heavens guys, get a grip. No one is being forced to buy the app, there’s no hate speech, and how many downloads have there been anyway? What’s frightening is not this little app that hardly anyone knows about, but the massive over-reaction using language that sounds not that different from Jihadist fundamentalists. What ever happened to live and let live?

    • http://www.powerwatchers.com/ Dean Lewis

      Good heavens, those negroes sure are uppity. I’m not saying anything hateful. It’s just for their own good. Can’t they understand that and just live and let live?

      (That’s bigotry. Change the word “negro” to another group, and it’s just as bad. We expect better.)

      • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

        You’re very right. “Live and let live” doesn’t cover spewing hatred and lies about another group and expecting not to be called out on it.

  • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

    I love how this article drew out these cure-the-gays apologists.

    • Pete

      You are pointing your finger at the wrong target. It’s the Bible that persuades them to think that way.

      • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

        The Bible says a lot of things. Considering how many sources it had, it’s remarkably self-contradictory. Which makes it easy to data-mine for the point of view you want.

        By itself, the Bible doesn’t persuade anyone to do anything until some tax-exempt middleman gets up in front of a crowd and screams his interpretation of it. And abusing scapegoats to work the crowd is a time-tested money-maker for many of these folks.

        • Arc

          You sir or madam, are an idiot.

          • Vamsmack

            Great retort to a well reasoned point. Glad you felt the need to post that.

            While we are making hasty value judgements on people your terse post has me worried that you are in fact one of those who throws money at the over tanned face of the previously mentioned middleman.

  • Pete

    88,000 sign.
    Millions don’t.

    • Gustav

      I could start a position that says “babies should be cared for” and millions wouldn’t sign it. I don’t see why you think you have a valid point here.

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      88 billion houseflies eat feces. Maybe they know something you don’t.

      • Peter Cohen

        How judgmental. How do you know Pete doesn’t eat feces too?

        • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

          You have a point. His little friends do seem to pop up like mushrooms in the dark.

  • Steven Fisher

    I haven’t seen the app in question, so it’s possible it crosses a line in elaborating or simply taste. But if this is really about an app quoting a religious text, Apple specifically allows that, and there are no grounds for rejecting it. Nor should there be.

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      By advocating a “cure” for homosexuality, the group that posted this app is preaching a specifically fundamentaist interpretation of scripture, designed to attract and support fearful, uneducated people, while targeting another group of people who are trying to gain full rights under the law. That’s a lot different that merely quoting a religious text.

      I have no difficulty with apps that contain the Testaments, the Talmud, or the Quran. I have big problems with people who use those books to deliberately persecute.

      • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

        Thus mangling and abusing the actual message of said books.

      • Steven Fisher

        Maybe. The only way I can think of to get an informed opinion on this app is to buy it and see what the app actually does and says, and I’ve no intention of giving them my money.

        • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

          You also have the option of examining the publicly-stated mission of this app’s originator, a ministry which claims to have answers for young people confused by “unwanted same-sex attractions.” Reassuring resources are available for terrified parents who need talking points unsupported by actual scientific research.

          The language is full of New Testament words like “compassion,” but the context is strictly about conforming to fundamentalist doctrine, and the consequences of failing to meet the deity’s supposed expectations. Very fear-driven, very Old Testament.

          This kind of stepped-up recruitment effort is indicative of all sorts of groups who feel threatened by the increasing numbers of younger people everywhere who have rejected fundamentalist beliefs of any kind, and who aren’t terrified of associating with people who are different.

          • Steven Fisher

            Yeah, I suppose I can. Thanks.

            …though I dislike giving him website hits nearly as much, to be totally honest…

  • Dee D

    read any similar story and you get one sided information from the pro-gay

    The pro-gay movement seems to be very much like a religion – which needs new members (no pun intended)

    Sexual desire like any habit (food ect) is influenced by our behavioral neural chemistry – we are basically Chemical Computers – hence just like a computer our habits can be re-programmed.

    I don’t agree with tying it to Christianity tho – just look at the science – the TRUTH is out there

    • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

      Can you define “pro-gay” for me, please? I mean in the real world, not the one where your pastor fabricates science for you.

    • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

      All talk, no proof. Help us find the truth that is out there by providing reliable sources for your statements.

    • Kay

      You may want to look into the English before you worry about looking at “the science.”

    • YossarianLives

      That has to be the most ignorant post this site has ever hosted.
      – one-sided information : it is a news piece, that sources both the app creators and the petition. At least read it!!

      – very much like a religion : though you are religious, you don’t know what a religion is defn. “belief in supernatural powers that control humanity”

      – sexual desire, food, habits : basic human needs, not habits

      – re-programmed : so offensive and loaded with ignorance

      – look at the science : there is absolutely none to back these claims. Here’s help, if a man in a white lab-coat holding a clipboard tells you that the moon is made of cheese and shows you a graph to justify this claim, examine the evidence – you might be surprised to find out he is both wrong and not a real scientist.

      • Dee D

        Behaviors (human) are choices

        Behaviors can be changed

        There’s no hate here just plain Simple facts – which seems to be causing others blood to boil

        Also, Where did I say I was religious ? Spiritual yes, def but do not belong to ANY religion, which I feel are well run cults -

        Free Yourselves – you don’t need to belong to a group, be it religion or “sexual orientation”

        You’re a biological MAN or WOMAN – there is NO third gender – just except it

        BUT, you are free to have sex with whatever YOU DESIRE – that is fine

        Just PLEASE stop trying to convince everyone that it should be considered the same as man and women sex. It is abnormal behavior (which you are free to practice) but don’t demand that people see it any other way than abnormal

        • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

          But it should be considered the same as sex between a man and a woman.
          As should gay love and gay marriage.

          Is it that hard for you to accept that people may love differently than you? And why does your special type of spirituality deny other human being the right to be happy and treated equally?

          TJ Luoma offered proof that sexual orientation cannot bechanged through behavioural therapy,
          now it’s your turn to back your claims with facts.

          Otherwise; shut up and leave.

          • Dee D

            Biological male

            Biological female

            Two parts made by nature to go together

            It’s not rocket science

            Yes you are free to put “other” things together but trying to force this as anything but “other” is frankly dishonest

            TJ “Proof” just like “Proof” the world was flat — all hail we should bow down to the great and all knowing American Psycological Society — end of story — go back to sleep — the so-and-so’s just “discovered” that black is white — no need to think anymore —

          • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

            You’re pretty full of yourself if you think you know nature’s plan — if there is one.

            Yes, a homosexual couple isn’t able to reproduce, but that doesn’t make it unnatural.

            As with all research the proof Mr. Luoma delivered can be considered valid until it’s proven false.
            So far it hasn’t been and your devaluing the APS’s findings doesn’t make them less valid.

            Deliver peer-reviewed proof for your arguments, or we’re all going to have to believe that you’re just trying to recruit us for your little cult.

        • YossarianLives

          Male dogs have intercourse with other male dogs.
          Bonobos intercourse with everything.
          Clownfish change gender.

          So who are you to define ‘Normal’? And only you are talking about third gender in humans? Only you are talking about it being behavioural? You are making up your own opinions to put in the mouths of others and berating THEM for it … !!!! You really are the posterboy for uninformed ignorance.

          • Dee D

            Shout me down — that’s right — I might go away —

            You can’t deny the simple facts of human nature that I’ve already mentioned. Verbal gymnastics are a huge part of the pro-gay religion.

            —-
            So if dogs do it then we should deny that it is not how nature made them… And humans
            —-
            Again — if you care to recall I never said you can’t be gay — just that I’m calling you out on trying to deny that it is Abnormal — feel free to have all the sex you can get — I’m calling out the verbal gymnastic bull crap

            —–

  • Anonymous

    There is a lot of media bias against groups like Exodus International. I just want to to present a different side for your consideration, even though you probably won’t agree. Exodus is all about helping people and leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their ministry is evangelical and Christian and non-denominational. They get branded by the liberal media and the pro-gay lobby that they are a “gay cure” group. That is not so.

    Exodus helps people who want to leave unhealthy lifestyles. Some people are homosexual and very happy; for others it is destroying them. Some people cannot reconcile their homosexuality with their Christian faith and want to walk away from unhealthy behaviors. Exodus is not claiming that a homosexual can simply change and never have homosexual feelings and tendencies again. They ARE claiming that through faith and a lot of support, not just from their ministry but also compassionate local ministries and churches that — someone can walk away from homosexual behaviors, meaning homosexual sex.

    Exodus has helped a lot of people in 30+ years. Surely there are some who started down a recovery process and went back to being actively homosexual. This can be true of any number of organizations and ministries, such as AA who help people that fully recover.

    To be successful in an Exodus or Exodus-like program, it is necessary to adopt a Biblical worldview. Exodus realizes that this isn’t for everybody either. I truly believe in one of their foundational teachings — the opposite of homosexuality isn’t heterosexuality, it’s holiness. There is a difference between someone having a homosexual orientation / disposition and living the homosexual lifestyle.

    Some question whether or not moving from homosexuality to heterosexuality is possible. I would like to offer up Sy Rogers, as a very bold example. He was helped through ministries like Exodus 30 years ago, ended up working for Exodus and now has his own ministry where he helps those with many different kinds of sexual brokenness.

    http://www.syrogers.com/

    I want to let you know that I too dealt with homosexuality for many years. I am now 30 and after getting so much rejection from churches, have come to embrace ministries like Exodus because they present Biblical truth in a loving way. For so long, our conservative churches have tried to WIN THE ARGUMENT (which was stupid because most Christian homosexuals would agree with what the Bible says on this issue) instead of helping the homosexual FIGHT THE DAILY BATTLE that will continue until they leave this earth.

    If this APP was removed, I think I would definitely sell my iPad, but probably wouldn’t go as far as selling my MacBook. I know I am in the minority on this.

    I just wanted to present the other side in a peaceful rational manner. This is the “other side” to the issue that is not commonly or articulately presented.

  • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

    Oh, just a little something something for the fundamentalist idiots who’ve polluted this fine blog with their idiocy (and everybody who wants to have a good laugh):

    http://ephemera.wisser.me/post/3640747662/goodreasonnews-today-was-the-first-day-for-dr

  • Dee D

    Behaviors (human) are choices

    Behaviors can be changed

    There’s no hate here just plain Simple facts – which seems to be causing others blood to boil

    Also, Where did I say I was religious ? Spiritual yes, def but do not belong to ANY religion, which I feel are well run cults -

    Free Yourselves – you don’t need to belong to a group, be it religion or “sexual orientation”

    You’re a biological MAN or WOMAN – there is NO third gender – just except it

    BUT, you are free to have sex with whatever YOU DESIRE – that is fine

    Just PLEASE stop trying to convince everyone that it should be considered the same as man and women sex. It is abnormal behavior (which you are free to practice) but don’t demand that people see it any other way than abnormal

  • Dee D

    Accept it

    There are two genders

    It is a difficult world we live in

    —–
    You are free to eat fast food, junk food and candy all day every day that is your choice

    Some people actually eat glass or other non-food things

    Is it healthy — is it normal –

    —–

    You are free to have sex with goats, dogs, sheep, trees,

    And people do this — they are free — and they feel that it is perfectly natural to do this

    Should we then allow people to marry their dog, sheep or tree ?

    Don’t laugh — why is this ANY different than man man — there is no difference — it is a personal

    Choice ! But that does not mean it is a good or biologically normal choice
    —
    That is my point.

    The verbal gymnastics that surround the “pro-gay” religion or cult is simply astounding and bordering on oppressive.

    —

    • Jim

      “Don’t laugh — why is this ANY different than man man — there is no difference — it is a personal ”

      By that same logic your examples are no different for man/woman either.

  • Dee D

    Mangochutney: “Just as being left handed can’t be “cured”, you can just force people to learn to write with both hands.”

    Yes correct

    Sexual relationships are learned — it is not an easy behavior to develop in our society —

    Example — some ancient societys (and maybe some native) the middle-aged women would “teach” the young adult men about the experiences of male/female sexuality and affection

    look it up — open your eyes — don’t join the cult — any cult

    —–

    Comparing Left and Right handedness to male/female vs. male/male Sex is a Classic example of the “logistical” gymnastics that are continually practiced by the pro-gay religion …

    —-

    • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

      I’m sorry to have to pull out the grammar nazi here, but, it’s “logical gymnastics” not “logistical gymnastics” and a more appropriate would probably be “semantics”.

      Also, your comment didn’t address any of my arguments, it doesn’t even make sense.

      • http://twitter.com/enosone A. Lima

        Uh… I think you’re feeding a troll. @DeeD You are entitled to your opinion, that is fact, what you’re saying is not. Homosexuality is exhibited in non-human animals in the wild. Are these animals unnatural? Were they taught that behavior?

        • http://mangochut.net/ mangochutney

          Yeah, possibly, but it’s good distraction and keeps my mind off the paper I have to write ;)
          I should probably stop the troll-feeding, though :)

        • Dee D

          —yes the animal behavior is unnatural — sex is sex -sometimes we get it any way we can — how about those who have affection for the nice soft hole in the tree —? It feels good but is it really what a male member is made to have sex with??

          We, or animals don’t necessarily have to be “taught” — we have this thing called imagination, we are free to experiment — but just because it feels good we are now supposed to accept this as ‘just another natural behavior” ?

          just like an obsession with junk food — you’re free to eat all you want — but if anybody started saying that it is “the same” as eating a healthy diet (yes that is a relative term)

      • Dee D

        Logical was “autocorrected” for me on the ipad

        I prefer using ” gymnastics” because of all the wiggling and contortions that are used to deny or ignore or confuse some basics points of human anatomy and human male female connection — and to try and equate male-male connection with male-female connection.

        Do it – have your male-male connection – what about the male-sheep connection ect — why can’t I then marry my sheep or favorite tree hole ??

  • Dee D

    YossarianLives:
    Mangochutney: to Dee “shut up and leave”

    Shout me down — that’s right — I might go away —

    You try to strike fear in anybody who might point out some basic, non-religious observations of human nature — there’s two things (male and female anatomy) that look really seriously like they were made to be the “most natural” to fit together

    What I am pointing out is the huge lobby effort to try to claim that “other” forms of sexual behavior should be treated as normal and equal. Sorry but this is flat bull and dishonest

    You can’t deny the simple facts of human nature that I’ve already mentioned. Verbal gymnastics are a huge part of the pro-gay religion.

    —-
    So if dogs do it then we should deny that it is not how nature made them… And humans
    —-
    Again — if you care to recall I never said you can’t be gay — just that I’m calling you out on trying to deny that it is Abnormal — feel free to have all the sex you can get — I’m calling out the verbal gymnastic bull crap

    —–

  • Dee D

    I prefer using ” gymnastics” because of all the wiggling and contortions that are used to deny or ignore or confuse some basics points of human anatomy and human male female connection — and to try and equate male-male connection with male-female connection.

    Do it – have your male-male connection – what about the male-sheep connection ect — why can’t I then marry my sheep or favorite tree hole ??

  • Jim

    “what about the male-sheep connection ect — why can’t I then marry my sheep or favorite tree hole ”
    Ummm, because sheep and trees etc. don’t have the ability to communicate nor are they intelligent enough to understand what the concept of marriage is as well as so much more. You can not see how illogical your “arguments” are can you?

  • Peter Cohen

    This thread has more than run its course. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.