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Gay Rights Group Starts Online Petition Demanding Apple Remove 'Hateful' App

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A gay rights group has started an online petition demanding that Apple remove an iPhone app by a religious organization that seeks to help homosexuals become straight.

Apple gave the app, Exodus International (which was created by a ministry of the same name), a 4+ rating which means it contains "no objectionable material."

According to its website, Exodus International claims the app is "designed to be a useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders" providing access to current news, information, and resources from the group.

1010 WINS' John Montone reports: New Yorkers react to the app

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"Exodus is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth," the group said in the app's description

According to its website, Exodus International believes "homosexuality to be a multi-causal, developmental issue and that any individual can experience freedom through the support of caring individuals and the healing power of Jesus Christ."

Change.org says the group's message is "hateful and bigoted" and that the ministry commonly uses scare tactics, misinformation and stereotypes of LGBT life to recruit clients.

By midday Monday, the petition, which demands that the iTunes store stop supporting homophobia and remove the Exodus app, had over 95,000 signatures.

"You are what you are, regardless of what people tell you what you are, there is no cure for being gay," a Staten Island man told 1010 WINS' John Montone.

A man from the Bronx said the app is disrespectful and is disappointed that Apple would approve it.

"I'm just embarrassed that they would even think of an idea like that," he said. "I'm actually a really big fan of Apple, so that's really offensive."

"This is hate-based initiative of the fanatical religious right intending to brainwash and emotionally destroy gay and lesbian people by coercing them to hate themselves based on their natural sexual orientation," one reviewer wrote about the app.

Apple has not commented.

Do you think Apple should remove the app? Sound off below

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