Apple CEO Tim Cook Publicly Confirms He is Gay

In an essay published in Bloomberg Businessweek, Apple CEO Tim Cook informed the public that he is “proud to be gay”.

“Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself.” Cook wrote.

“At the same time, I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ”

“For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation. Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky.

“While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”

In the essay he explained that although privacy was important to him, he felt that being open and proud of his sexuality was his small part in helping others. “We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.” he concluded.

Many have responded with messages of support, including Bill Clinton and Richard Branson:

From one son of the South and sports fanatic to another, my hat’s off to you, @Tim_cook. http://t.co/1dXvRa2Nhu

— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) October 30, 2014

 

Inspirational words from Apple CEO Tim Cook on being gay, and standing up for equality http://t.co/5UXOc6vGY9

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) October 30, 2014

However, not all have responded favourably. Russian lawmaker Vitaly Milonov, who was co-sponsor of Russia’s widely contested ‘gay propaganda’ law, suggested that the country should ban Cook on the grounds of his sexuality.

“What could he bring us? The Ebola virus, AIDS, gonorrhoea? They all have unseemly ties over there,” he he said to FlashNord website. “Ban him for life.”

In his essay, Cook explained that although privacy was important to him, he felt that being open and proud of his sexuality was his small part in helping others. “We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.” he concluded. The essay in its entirety can be found at Bloomberg Businessweek.