Gay rights groups slam Apple for approving 'gay cure' application

Gay rights activists have slammed Apple after it approved an app by a religious organisation that seeks to help gay people become straight.

According to the Huffington Post, the app- Exodus International- created by a ministry with the same name received a "4" rating from Apple, which means the company has "no objectionable material," reports the New York Daily News.

The app is targeted at "homosexual strugglers" and allows users to learn more about Exodus, which maintain people have a choice to be gay and can choose not to be.

On its website, Exodus International said the program is designed to be a "useful resource for men, women, parents, students, and ministry leaders."

"Exodus is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth," the organisation said in the app's description.

Change.org has created an online petition demanding the iTunes store stop supporting homophobia and remove the Exodus app. By Saturday afternoon, it garnered 29,541 signatures.

"This new iPhone app is the latest move in Exodus' dangerous new strategy of targeting youth," wrote gay rights advocate group Truth Wins Out.

"In light of the recent wave of LGBT youth suicides, this tactic is particularly galling as it creates, legitimizes, and fuels the ostracism of LGBT youth by their families," the group said.

Apple has not commented on the controversy.