Apple CEO Tim Cook came out as gay in an essay published this morning, Oct. 30, in Bloomberg Businessweek:
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.
It was the worst kept secret in the country. Named CEO of Apple in 2011, we reported it then. Cook has long been suspected as being gay, but has never brought up his sexual orientation. In 2011, OUT named him the most powerful LGBT person in the United States. A CNBC host accidentally outed him in June.
Cook spoke during his inauguration into the Alabama Academy of Honor, denouncing Alabama, his home state, for stalling on LGBT rights on this past Monday, Oct. 27, according to Business Insider.
The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce lauded Cook’s decision to come out in a statement: “[As] the business voice of the LGBT community, [we] commend Tim Cook for his moving and heartfelt coming out essay. While his story and success are unique, we are proud to say we hear about similar journeys every day from the LGBT Americans, including those who are part of NGLCC. Our goal is to expand economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. Tim’s words today will help us in that mission. They also serve as an opening of the door for other LGBT CEOs and senior executives to move forward in knowing there is a safe place for them in the business world.”
