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VICTORY: Google Dumps ‘Ex-Gay’ App After Four-Month Pressure Campaign by Truth Wins Out

Google Relents after 142,148 People Sign TWO’s Winning Change.org Petition and a Dozen Key Lawmakers Demand Google Delete App

WASHINGTON – Truth Wins Out declared victory today after Google finally deleted a toxic “ex-gay” app from its online store that targeted LGBTQ youth. The move by Google to dump the app by Living Hope Ministries came after an intense four-month pressure campaign by TWO that included a Change.org petition that gathered more than 142,000 signatures and a push to elevate the voices of key lawmakers who demanded that Google act with corporate integrity and responsibility. The final straw was the Human Rights Campaign suspending Google from its Corporate Equality Index.

“We are delighted that Google finally backed down and deleted a dangerous app that targeted LGBTQ youth with toxic messages of guilt and shame,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “It is still unfathomable why Google stubbornly defended the indefensible for months, when the hateful and destructive content in this app should have been self-evident. We hope this sends a powerful message that ‘pray away the gay’ products are unacceptable and have no place in a decent and civilized society.”

Truth Wins Out originally targeted Apple on Dec. 20 2018 with a Change.org petition that urged the company pull the app. On Dec. 21, Truth Wins Out praised Apple for acting with corporate responsibility for deleting the app. Microsoft also acted with integrity and abandoned the app immediately without having to be pressured.

On Dec. 27, TWO wrote a letter to the CEO’s of Amazon and Google urging them to follow the lead of Microsoft and Apple. On Dec. 28, TWO applauded Amazon for swiftly removing an app that clearly degraded and dehumanized the LGBT community. Google, however, dug in its heels and wouldn’t budge, nor would the corporation explain why it had made the unwise and insulting decision. Google would not even abandon the app after TWO pointed out that Living Hope Ministries was marketing its deeply homophobic poison to sixth graders.

TWO told the moving stories of those who survived “ex-gay” programs, but even sharing these harrowing experiences didn’t inspire Google to act. We then helped elevate the voices of former “ex-gay” leaders — such as Randy Thomas, Yvette Cantu Schneider and John Smid (portrayed in the movie Boy Erased) — who now renounce these groups. They placed powerful and persuasive op-eds in a number of media outlets.

New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman was a tremendous help, and we are deeply appreciative that he forcefully spoke out and demanded that Google take down the “ex-gay” app. We also thank Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Sims who released a strong statement and appeared on Facebook Live to hold Google accountable. Additionally, Milford, PA Mayor Sean Strub spoke out early and we thank him for his efforts.

TWO’s campaign ended today with a dozen public officials who urged Google to dump the app: State Sens. Brad Hoylman, (D-NY), Adam Ebbin (D-VA), Donna Nesselbush, (D-RI), State Reps. Kelly Cassidy (D-IL) and Brian Sims (D-PA); and Mark Takano (D-CA)

City Commissioners Geoff Kors, (D-Palm Springs-CA), Ryan Mellow (D-Tacoma, WA), Patty Sheehan (D-Orlando, FL) and Denise Simmons (D-Cambridge, MA); Mayor Sean Strub (D-Milford, PA); and Register of Wills Byron Macfarlane (D- Howard County, MD).

It’s important to point out that Change.org was an invaluable partner in this campaign and we would not be here today to declare victory without their tremendous staff. Additionally, TWO applauds the Human Rights Campaign for coming up big down the stretch and leveraging its clout to push us over the finish line. HRC’s pivotal role continues HRC President Chad Griffin’s legacy of successful activism. The Trevor Project also deserves as shout out for its efforts to influence Google’s decision.

Truth Wins Out is still deeply concerned about the ramifications of Google’s recent, intense PR outreach to extreme right wing organizations. The goal for embracing this strategy, according to The Wall Street Journal, is “to defend against the allegation that they are biased against conservatives, a complaint lodged repeatedly last year by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers.”

Just this week, Google named Kay Cole James to its new Advanced Technology External Advisory Council (ATEAC), to give advice on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. James was formerly a vice president of the rabidly anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council and is now the President of the far right wing Heritage Foundation.

“What role this outreach to extremists played in Google standing by an atrocious ‘ex-gay’ app for months is unclear,” said TWO’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We warn Google and other companies to avoid sliding into the realm of false equivalency where ‘both sides’ are morally equal and where diversity now means allegedly supporting LGBTQ equality, as well as those who fervently oppose it.”

Founded in 2006, Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that fights against right wing extremism and anti-LGBT prejudice and discrimination.

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