Apple CEO Tim Cook discussed his sexuality in an open forum for the first time Thursday, breaking a major barrier as the most prominent American CEO to publicly identify as gay.
In an essay published online Thursday morning by Bloomberg Businessweek, Cook called for human rights and equality, writing that he valued his privacy but hoped that he could help others by coming forward.
“While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now,” Cook wrote. “So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”
Three years after succeeding Steve Jobs as Apple’s leader, Cook has joined an extremely small circle of U.S. chief executives who are openly gay. While former American Eagle Outfitters CEO Robert Hanson, who now leads jewelry company John Hardy, has spoken out about life as a gay man in corporate America, Cook is believed to be the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company to publicly identify as gay.
