Google removes LGBT+ ‘conversion therapy’ app from its download store after outcry from top human rights charity

Google has removed an app that advised people on “recovery from same-sex attraction” from its download store after one of the United States’ top LGBT+ charities suspended the tech company from a gay and transgender rights ranking.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) removed Google from its annual Corporate Equality Index, which ranks US companies on the benefits they offer LGBT+ staff, over the Living Hope Ministries app. The index was published on Thursday.

HRC said the app was “life-threatening to LGBTQ youth” for its support of “conversion therapy”, which is based on the belief that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender is a mental illness that can be cured.

“After consulting with outside advocacy groups, reviewing our policies, and making sure we had a thorough understanding of the app and its relation to conversion therapy, we’ve decided to remove it from the Play Store, consistent with other app stores,” a Google spokesman said in an email early Friday.

Amazon, Apple and Microsoft had previously removed the app designed by the Christian non-profit group Living Hope Ministries from their app stores.

“We applaud Google for making the right decision to pull this app from their online store,” Chad Griffin, HRC’s president, said in a statement.

“So-called conversion therapy is a debunked practice that’s tantamount to child abuse and is proven to have dangerous consequences for its victims.”