News of Apple's participation in a controversial online platform called Christian Values Network (CVN) is spreading like wildfire this week. CVN's platform allows users to donate part of their online purchases from iTunes or the Apple Store to “charity” - including anti-gay groups like Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and even (appallingly!) Scott Lively’s Abiding Truth Ministries.
Apple may not mean to be funding hate groups. In fact, they've publicly supported LGBT rights in the past, even donating a $100,000 to stop an anti-gay hate law in the US. But now that they know what’s really going on at CVN, it’s time to pull out.
BBC America, Microsoft, Delta, and most recently Macy’s have cut ties with CVN under public pressure. But computer giant Apple is still participating, despite more than 20,000 people signing a petition on Change.org started by Ben Crowther, a fan of Apple and equality. That's why we're joining Ben to turn up the heat and demand action.
Click here to sign the petition telling Apple to dump CVN and stop funding anti-gay hate groups:
www.allout.org/stop_funding_hate
Right now, people can buy Apple products through CVN and direct a portion of their purchase to groups that focus on spreading hateful lies about LGBT people and fight against their full inclusion in society.
One of the "charities" you can support with a portion of your Apple purchase is Abiding Truth Ministries, a group known for spreading outrageous anti-gay rhetoric, including the assertion that LGBT people were responsible for the Holocaust¹, and has even been linked to Uganda’s infamous “Kill the Gays” bill.² Another so called "charity" is The Family Research Council, a group that has fought to repeal hate crimes legislation in the US and has directed its members to pray for the continued criminalization of homosexuality in Malawi.³
Ben Crowther has helped drive a mass exodus of corporations from CVN and draw attention to the hate groups they are supporting. And if enough of us join the call, Apple will have to respond.
Join Ben, Change.org, and AllOut.org in demanding that Apple stop using CVN’s platform and publicly condemn the funding of hate groups.
www.allout.org/stop_funding_hate
Thanks for all you do.
All the best and All Out,
Aaron, Andre, Erika, Guillaume, Jeremy, Joseph, Nita, Prerna, Oli, Tile, Wesley and the rest of the team at All Out
SOURCES:
1. Making Myths: Anti-gay religious crusaders claim homosexuals helped mastermind the Holocaust
www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/spring/holy-war/making-myths
2. Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill: Inspired by the U.S.
www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946645,00.html
3. FRC: Pray for the Criminalization of Homosexuality
www.rightwingwatch.org/content/frc-pray-criminalization-homosexuality
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