[Jack_]

And did so by writing this

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.

Bloomberg Businessweek

[Livia]

I am shocked that someone "coming out" is news.

I'm going to come out as heterosexual and see how many people are interested.

[Ninastar]

omg i thought he was already out

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by Livia

I am shocked that someone "coming out" is news.

I'm going to come out as heterosexual and see how many people are interested.

Haha no-one will be, because everyone assumes that everyone is straight by default.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Some business person declares he bats for the B team and its news?

he is probably the last person to find out at Apple I imagine

[Livia]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

Haha no-one will be, because everyone assumes that everyone is straight by default.

Everyone, Josh? Everyone?

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

Haha no-one will be, because everyone assumes that everyone is straight by default.

maybe that is because most people are?


just throwing it out there for ya

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Livia

I am shocked that someone "coming out" is news.

I'm going to come out as heterosexual and see how many people are interested.

That's an uncharacteristically tiresome predictable response. :/ It might not be important "news" (in which case take it up with a moderator who cares about which subforum this is in) but if it doesn't interest you then I don't see why you need to make a big deal of it.

And the age-old "what if I came out as straight lol" line fits right in with the standard "where is straight pride???" nonsense you see whenever someone puts on a mardi gras parade. You're right, nobody would care if you did. Because heterosexuality is the norm and doesn't come with all forms of oppression or taboo

[T*]

Originally Posted by Livia

I am shocked that someone "coming out" is news.

I'm going to come out as heterosexual and see how many people are interested.

I absolutely HATE the system of coming out. It's not right, It makes look different to straight people; Which is stupid: if we are going to want to be accepted we shouldn't do something that makes us look different. That's why i'm not coming out. I don't think I should need to.

[Braden]

Good for him.

Coming out is a big deal to some people, so I'm pleased he has the courage to do so.

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

maybe that is because most people are?


just throwing it out there for ya

That was kind of my point..

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Shaun

That's an uncharacteristically tiresome predictable response. :/ It might not be important "news" (in which case take it up with a moderator who cares about which subforum this is in) but if it doesn't interest you then I don't see why you need to make a big deal of it.

And the age-old "what if I came out as straight lol" line fits right in with the standard "where is straight pride???" nonsense you see whenever someone puts on a mardi gras parade. You're right, nobody would care if you did. Because heterosexuality is the norm and doesn't come with all forms of oppression or taboo

And that's an uncharacteristically dramatic response.

What I mean about it not being news is this: I think people care a lot less about other people's sexuality than ever before. It's as unimportant to most people I know as what colour your eyes are or where you buy your teeshirts. Having a big media parade because you've decided to "come out" seems oddly outdated to me.

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by Livia

And that's an uncharacteristically dramatic response.

What I mean about it not being news is this: I think people care a lot less about other people's sexuality than ever before. It's as unimportant to most people I know as what colour your eyes are or where you buy your teeshirts. Having a big media parade because you've decided to "come out" seems oddly outdated to me.

Maybe he just wanted an excuse to have a big coming out party on Apples budget

[Jessica.]

I kind of agree with Livia tbh, but I can also see that it could be a big deal for young people who are not being true to themselves for fear of what others may think, if he can do it with such an audience, others may be inspired too.

[Liam-]

I hate it when a big fuss is made over someone coming out, yes okay it's brave, but does it deserve this much public attention? no, people around the world come out every day.. I'd imagine it's a bit easier to do when you're super rich and successful without anything to worry about.

In general, the idea of 'coming out' is a bit stupid anyway in my eyes.. but good luck to the people who do.

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Livia

And that's an uncharacteristically dramatic response.

What I mean about it not being news is this: I think people care a lot less about other people's sexuality than ever before. It's as unimportant to most people I know as what colour your eyes are or where you buy your teeshirts. Having a big media parade because you've decided to "come out" seems oddly outdated to me.

its funny cause I agree with both of you.

I think you're both right.

I think celebrities have the right to 'come out' because there's SO many of them in the closet. And while Tim Cook isn't your stereotypical hollywood celeb, he's still very famous and people will have assumed he was straight.

Most people (non celebs) these days don't come out. They kind of just get on with life and don't have the whole bang shahbaz crap. But with famous people who have a huge following, it's a pretty big deal for them to hide part of their life away, when really, it shouldn't be a secret anyway.

I don't blame 'society' or anything like that. I blame hollywood and their awful desire to get rid of anything they think isn't 'normal'

[GypsyGoth]

I think it's very brave of him.

[Jamesy]

I think these kind of things help young people who are afraid to 'come out'. Media like this is good. At least it raises awareness that being gay isn't something to be worried about.

Although generally, on a personal level, I couldn't care less.

[arista]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

I think it's very brave of him.

Its no big deal

[JoshBB]

Originally Posted by arista

Its no big deal

For many people, me included, coming out was. You have literally no idea.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Livia

I am shocked that someone "coming out" is news.

I'm going to come out as heterosexual and see how many people are interested.

remind me again when's the last time someone lost their job for being hetero? or got beaten for being hetero? or got murdered for being hetero?

you sound like an idiot Livia. i know that you're not an idiot, but you sound like one.

gay pride isn't about being proud to be gay, it's about being proud to stand up in the face of danger, it's about being proud of surviving another day in a dangerous world that hates and fears you. a world that tells you from a young age that you are a pervert and a pedophile, that you are really a woman, that you just want attention, that you are a liar and a manipulator and a weirdo. that there is something wrong with you.

you don't understand that.