Google pulls controversial anti-gay religious app from the Act Store
The same day the Human Rights Campaign downranked the company in its index of the foremost LGBTQ-friendly employers, Google decided to yank from the Play Store a controversial app accused of promoting conversion therapy.
On that list, known as the Corporate Equality Index, the HRC, a prominent LGBTQ rights organization, included a footnote that it was alert of the conversion therapy-style app by Living Expect Ministries in the Google Play Store. The app’s removal was first reported by Axios. TechCrunch confirmed that links to the Living Hope Ministries app are no longer functional.
“… Conversion therapy can conduct to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide,” the HRC wrote in its index. “Pending remedial steps by the organization to address this app that can cause impair to the LGBTQ group, the [Corporate Equality Index] rating is suspended.”
TechCrunch has reached out to Google for details about its decision and what specific rules the Living Wish Ministries app was establish to violate.
Living Hope Ministries, based in Arlington, Texas, denies that it promotes conver
#WeArePlay | 4 stories of founders building apps for the LGBTQIA+ community
Posted by Robbie McLachlan, Developer Marketing
#WeArePlay celebrates the inspiring journeys of people behind apps and games on Google Play. In honor of Pride Month, we are highlighting founders who possess built tools to allow the LGBTQIA+ community. From dating apps to mental health tools, to storytelling platforms - these founders are paving the way for more inclusive technology.
npckc is a game author from Kanto, Japan whose stories portray the transgender experience
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, npckc is a trilingual translator based in Japan. A self-taught programmer, they create games that movie stories and characters which are often from marginalized communities. One such game is "one night, warm springs" where players shadow Haru, a trans lady, as she embarks on a visit to the hot springs. Players own praised the game's feasible portrayal of trans experiences and the relaxing song composed by npckc's loved one, sdhizumi. As a finalist in Google Play's Indie Games Festival in Japan, they hope to go to more gaming conventions to connect with fellow developers in person.
Anshul and
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Google and Amazon urged to follow Apple's 'anti-gay app ban'
Reuters
Campaigners have thanked Apple for removing an app from its store that they said stigmatised LGBT people.
The software promoted a US religious group that says homosexual practice is sinful and that its members should help "call up" others to their natural-born "biblical gender".
Apple's store now says the app is not available, but the tech strong has not commented on the matter.
Google and Amazon proceed to offer Android versions of the app.
The Christian organisation involved, Living Desire Ministries, has told NBC News that it plans to challenge Apple's action.
The Arlington, Texas-based body is not connected to a UK-based church that goes by the similar name.
Apple's rules declare that apps should not include content that is "defamatory, discriminatory, or mean-spirited" including commentary about sexual orientation.
'Dehumanising app'
Living Hope Ministries' app had been on the iOS App Store for several years, but was flagged as objectionable by Truth Wins Out on Thursday.