Apple CEO Tim Cook: "I'm proud to be gay."

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**ScootyPuffJunior**

Tim Cook wrote:Tim Cook Speaks Up

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. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them.

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?’ ” I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today.

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.

Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day. It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life. It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry. It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple.

The world has changed so much since I was a kid. America is moving toward marriage equality, and the public figures who have bravely come out have helped change perceptions and made our culture more tolerant. Still, there are laws on the books in a majority of states that allow employers to fire people based solely on their sexual orientation. There are many places where landlords can evict tenants for being gay, or where we can be barred from visiting sick partners and sharing in their legacies. Countless people, particularly kids, face fear and abuse every day because of their sexual orientation.

I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t an easy choice. Privacy remains important to me, and I’d like to hold on to a small amount of it. I’ve made Apple my life’s work, and I will continue to spend virtually all of my waking time focused on being the best CEO I can be. That’s what our employees deserve—and our customers, developers, shareholders, and supplier partners deserve it, too. Part of social progress is understanding that a person is not defined only by one’s sexuality, race, or gender. I’m an engineer, an uncle, a nature lover, a fitness nut, a son of the South, a sports fanatic, and many other things. I hope that people will respect my desire to focus on the things I’m best suited for and the work that brings me joy.

The company I am so fortunate to lead has long advocated for human rights and equality for all. We’ve taken a strong stand in support of a workplace equality bill before Congress, just as we stood for marriage equality in our home state of California. And we spoke up in Arizona when that state’s legislature passed a discriminatory bill targeting the gay community. We’ll continue to fight for our values, and I believe that any CEO of this incredible company, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, would do the same. And I will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people until my toes point up.

When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. I don’t pretend that writing this puts me in their league. All it does is allow me to look at those pictures and know that I’m doing my part, however small, to help others. We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.

source

Very cool. From what I understand, Cook's sexuality has more of less been an open secret at Apple, one that he has never publicly acknowledged until now.

**daedalus**

...cool story bro?

**cincydooley**

Congrats?

I'd really like a single, straight CEO of something to come out and say "I'M STRAIGHT AND FABULOUS!"

**daedalus**

I'm normally proud of my own actions and accomplishments, not natural, intrinsic parts of my being. Being CEO of Apple is something I would be proud of. Actually, no, I wouldn't, but you get what I'm saying.

I feel like someone just said to me, "I'm proud I have blue eyes." Uh... okay, dude. Good for you.

**cincydooley**

cincydooley wrote:
Congrats?

I'd really like a single, straight CEO of something to come out and say "I'M STRAIGHT AND FABULOUS!"

Actually, no I wouldn't.

Because it' doesn't fething matter, and it's no one's business but your own.

**TheMeanDM**

I am glad others have thought the same thing I have....

You're gay.

So what.

Why do you feel the need to announce it to the world?

I don't get that thought process....gay, black, hispanic, asian, white, purple, whatever....what's the big deal about announcing "I am ______" to everybody?

**Verviedi**

-Deleted for bigotry-

**Aesop the God Awful**

TheMeanDM wrote:
I am glad others have thought the same thing I have....

You're gay.

So what.

Why do you feel the need to announce it to the world?

I don't get that thought process....gay, black, hispanic, asian, white, purple, whatever....what's the big deal about announcing "I am ______" to everybody?

To ride the approval wave and get some publicity in the progress. There's no reason not to, really.

**Alpharius**

Must be a slow news day?

**Sigvatr**

Anyone checked Apple's stock?

Fail.

When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. I don’t pretend that writing this puts me in their league.

Someone gives this guy a rhetorics class.

**Ouze**

TheMeanDM wrote:
I am glad others have thought the same thing I have....

You're gay.

So what.

Why do you feel the need to announce it to the world?

I don't get that thought process....gay, black, hispanic, asian, white, purple, whatever....what's the big deal about announcing "I am ______" to everybody?

Well, see, GLBT youth have a tougher time than straight kids, even in 2014. Some of the highest suicide risk rates. So, making it to be the CEO of Apple, and saying "hey, I'm gay" sort of gives those kids a role model.

Super simple stuff

**AlmightyWalrus**

Ouze wrote:
TheMeanDM wrote:
I am glad others have thought the same thing I have....

You're gay.

So what.

Why do you feel the need to announce it to the world?

I don't get that thought process....gay, black, hispanic, asian, white, purple, whatever....what's the big deal about announcing "I am ______" to everybody?

Well, see, GLBT youth have a tougher time than straight kids, even in 2014. Some of the highest suicide risk rates. So, making it to be the CEO of Apple, and saying "hey, I'm gay" sort of gives those kids a role model.

Super simple stuff

I would've thought so too, but obviously not simple enough.

**Ouze**

It's like when someone dies, and inevitably someone has to break their fingers in their haste to let the people in that thread know they don't care about (whoever). Thanks for going in a thread and letting everyone participating know of your disinterest, I guess?

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the Flames of War section, because those guys need to know I don't play their game and am not really interested in doing so.

**Sigvatr**

If people don't want negative comments, they shouldn't post in an open forum.

*drops mike*

**daedalus**

Ouze wrote:
It's like when someone dies, and inevitably someone has to break their fingers in their haste to let the people in that thread know they don't care about (whoever). Thanks for going in a thread and letting everyone participating know of your disinterest, I guess?

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the Flames of War section, because those guys need to know I don't play their game and am not really interested in doing so.

I have a strong interest in posting on Dakka. I have a strong lack of interest in any amount of personal pride anyone has in things that don't strike me as accomplishments. Thus, I voice my opinion of being very indifferent.

**Ouze**

But you knew what this thread was about from the topic, right?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Well, that's a whole other argument, anyway - so we're probably best just getting back to Tim Cook.

**cincydooley**

Ouze wrote:
TheMeanDM wrote:
I am glad others have thought the same thing I have....

You're gay.

So what.

Why do you feel the need to announce it to the world?

I don't get that thought process....gay, black, hispanic, asian, white, purple, whatever....what's the big deal about announcing "I am ______" to everybody?

Well, see, GLBT youth have a tougher time than straight kids, even in 2014. Some of the highest suicide risk rates. So, making it to be the CEO of Apple, and saying "hey, I'm gay" sort of gives those kids a role model.

Super simple stuff

It's a shame sexuality is tied to who people decide is a role model.

I look up to people for their character and accomplishments, not who they like to feth.

**daedalus**

Dropping it.

**Sigvatr**

In before the countless myriads of jokes about his last name.

**Ouze**

No real effect on AAPL, just down .71% right now.

**Aesop the God Awful**

Ouze wrote:
No real effect on AAPL, just down .71% right now.

.71% business well rid of. Damn homophobes. But it tells me .41% now. Social progress at its best.

**daedalus**

Aesop the God Awful wrote:
Ouze wrote:
No real effect on AAPL, just down .71% right now.

.71% business well rid of. Damn homophobes. But it tells me .41% now. Social progress at its best.

I.. don't think that works the way you think it works.

**Steve steveson**

Unfortunately him coming out as gay is a big thing. It would be nice if everyone said "Ok and?", but many people don't, and the CEO of a major company can change attitudes. This is not like the people we have all met who insist on going round saying "Hi, I'm Dave! I'm gay!" and staring at you in the hope of a reaction, but someone opening their private life a little in the hope that it helps challenge attitudes. Don't forget, in many states in the US you can still be fired for your sexuality.

**Ouze**

daedalus wrote:
Aesop the God Awful wrote:
Ouze wrote:
No real effect on AAPL, just down .71% right now.

.71% business well rid of. Damn homophobes. But it tells me .41% now. Social progress at its best.

I.. don't think that works the way you think it works.

Yeah, to be 100% clear, when I posted that I meant to show there was no effect at all, and that was just normal daily turbulence. On the other hand it's possible we may have fallen into the sarchasm, there.

**jasper76**

I took this as to be encouragement for other homosexuals, rather than just some "look at me!" statement.

Its positive in my mind that so many people here have a "So What?" attitude, its a sign of change.

But many people in the US do not live in an area, or have a family, or have a job where open homosexuality is tolerated. And I think if this piece helps them see a light at the end of the tunnel, then its a good thing.

**cincydooley**

jasper76 wrote:
...where open homosexuality is tolerated.

I'm not even sure what this means...Can you elaborate?

**jasper76**

What I mean is that some people live in an area, or in a family, or go to a church, or work at a job where if they 'came out', they would be ostracized.

I'm not even sure there is any federal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation (Wikipedia says only 21 states currently outlaw such discrimination).

**Frazzled**

jasper76 wrote:
What I mean is that some people live in an area, or in a family, or go to a church, or work at a job where if they 'came out', they would be ostracized.

I'm not even sure there is any federal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation (Wikipedia says only 21 states currently outlaw such discrimination).

Of course you could make the policy argument - why should they be protected? The First Amendment exists for a reason, so stupid people can say stupid things. After all, you want the freedom to ostracize those who don't like gays. They want the freedom to ostracize those who like gays.

Alternatively, I wonder if the current EEOC harassment laws be used to exclude the issue altogether. Aka - you can't discriminate against someone, because to find out is prima facae evidence of sexual harassment in the first place (querying people about their sexual history/proclivities is evidence of illegally harassing that employee to begin with). Interesting...

**jasper76**

They should be protected IMO so that employers cannot fire them for the offense of being homosexual, landlords cannot deny them a place to live on the basis of being homosexual, businesses cannot deny them services on the basis of being homosexual, etc.

**Frazzled**

Why?

The more I think about it, the more I like my little train of thought.
"Did you fire that woman? Why?"
"She's gay."
"How do you know? Did you ask her?"
"Just the way she acted."
"So you were leering at her in violation of federal law. You better get a lawyer, and we're going to have to let you go."