Google pulls 'Is My Son Gay?' Android app
App is removed after gay rights advocacy groups complain that app is offensive.
Google has removed an app called "Is My Son Gay?" from its Android Market following complaints by gay rights advocacy groups.
Google confirmed to CNET yesterday that the app was pulled. "We remove apps that violate our policies," a company spokesman said, declining to elaborate.
The move comes after members of AllOut.org launched a Twitter campaign urging people to demand that Google remove the app, which they said was offensive.
"The app was slammed for being homophobic and relying on stereotypes, posing such inane questions as 'does he read the sports pages?' and 'does he care about how he dresses?'" the group said in a statement today.
The developers of the app provided a statement to The Huffington Post from an author who reportedly commissioned the app to promote a book he wrote. "This app was conceived with a playful approach," the statement reportedly said. "It is not based at all on scientific research...Through humor, "Is My Son Gay?" and the forthcoming novel have the sole objective of toning down/improving the situation and helping mothers to accept their sons' homosexuality."
The Queerty.com site identified the person behind the app as Christophe de Baran and said he is openly gay.
"He developed the program in part to help promote an upcoming comedic novel, also titled 'Is My Son Gay?' which treats 'difficult moments for families to go through, such as coming out' with 'fun and humor,'" the Queerty post said. "The Android Market site still carries other apps like 'R U Gay Quiz' and the 'Gaydar Radar,' which identifies homos based on their pictures. But unlike "Is My Son Gay?" both of the aforementioned apps state upfront that their product is a joke."