The president of the anti-gay group Exodus International, Alan Chambers, on Tuesday posted a message on Twitter indicating that the group’s controversial “ex-gay” app for iPhone and iPad had been pulled by Apple.
Change.org, the group hosting a Truth Wins Out petition signed by over 145,000 LGBT equality advocates opposing the anti-gay app, reports that users trying to access the app in the Apple store now receive the message: “The item you’ve requested is not currently available in the U.S. store.”
Apple, however, has not yet released a statement confirming its removal of the Exodus app, which petition signers say violates Apple’s editorial standards because of its blatantly anti-gay content.
“This app is a slap in the face to Apple’s customer base and serves as a platform to spread misinformation and blatant anti-gay bigotry,” said Wayne Besen, executive director of Truth Wins Out. “We call on Apple to remove this scientifically bankrupt product that causes significant psychological harm to LGBT people worldwide. It is particularly troublesome because the app focuses on exploiting the fears of desperate and vulnerable gay and lesbian youth.”
LGBT supporters are still being encouraged to sign the petition, if they haven’t already, to bolster the message to Apple that so-called “ex-gay” therapy promotes draconian notions of homosexuality.