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"Obviously I couldn't talk to each one individually that reached out, but you always know if you have people reaching out to you that there's many more that don't, that are just out there wondering whether they have a future or not, wondering whether life gets better … From there I really decided."
Though Cook said he "didn't worry" about how Apple staff would react to his coming out, he did acknowledge worrying about the reaction "outside of Apple," and noted that "the world is still not friendly to gay or trans people in many countries but also within our country."
In a direct message to kids struggling with their sexual orientation, he said that "life gets better, that you can have a great life filled with joy." He continued: "Gay is not a limitation.
He wrote, "I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me." This declaration made him the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company, setting a powerful precedent for LGBTQ+ visibility in corporate America.
Since then, Cook has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and broader social justice issues.
Initially tasked with streamlining the company's manufacturing and supply chain operations, Cook's efficiency and strategic vision were instrumental in revitalizing Apple, paving the way for its future successes.
Rise to Leadership
When Steve Jobs resigned as CEO in 2011 due to health issues, Tim Cook was appointed as his successor.
Under Cook's leadership, Apple has not only continued to innovate with groundbreaking products like the Apple Watch and the iPhone X but has also become a leader in corporate social responsibility. His journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming one of the most powerful business leaders in the world underscores the impact of diversity and the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
As Pride Month celebrates the progress and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, Tim Cook's profile is a reminder of how far we have come and how influential leaders can drive meaningful change.
Some said [they] had suicidal thoughts.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are also donating $1 million, but through their respective companies.
Cook believes the presidential inauguration is an important American tradition and is donating in the spirit of unity. He has spoken out against laws that undermine LGBTQ+ rights, such as North Carolina's "bathroom bill" and Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
His advocacy extends globally; he has called for greater protections for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, recognizing the intersection of human rights and business ethics.
A Vision for the Future
Tim Cook’s leadership at Apple goes beyond financial performance and product innovation. Trump hosted Cook at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month.
Cook has been praised for figuring out how to best approach the president-elect, developing meeting strategies “where he would bring one data point to home in on a single issue in a meeting,” which the Journal says “helped keep [face-to-face] meetings from spiraling in too many directions.”
According to Axios, Cook’s relationship with Trump has been so friendly that the Apple CEO once gave Trump a $5,999 Mac Pro computer from an Austin factory the two toured in 2019.
"When I came out, it became clear that my life was public property and I think that when you are a leader of a large organisation, that is the case nowadays - you have to leave your privacy to one side," said Lord Browne.
Executives who do come out can expect to be a role model for younger gay staff, which can be an added pressure.
"Once you come out, you are expected to suddenly be an expert on all things gay, but of course you are an expert on your job - not all things gay," says Ms Hunt.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said he decided to come out as gay after reading letters from kids struggling with their identity
Tim Cook says he was motivated to come out as gay after receiving letters from children struggling with their sexual orientation.
The usually private Apple CEO publicly came out in 2014, revealing his sexual orientation in an open letter published in Bloomberg Businessweek.
In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.”
Subscribe free to Metro Weekly’s digital magazine for the LGBTQ stories that matter most.In 1998, Cook joined Apple at the behest of Steve Jobs.
His contribution is allegedly supposed to signal that he is not partisan, as he has demonstrated that he believes in engaging with elected officials from both major political parties. During Pride Month, Cook’s story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the importance of authenticity, courage, and advocacy.
Cook’s influence has not only transformed Apple but has also helped to redefine the role of CEOs in championing social change.
Cook has also met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York and the president’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
While Cook has not publicly commented on the decision to donate to Trump, Altman, who has been more vocally pro-Trump than other tech CEOs, has expressed eagerness to work with a future Trump administration, telling The New YorkTimes last month, “President Trump will lead our country into the age of A.I., and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”
Several non-tech companies have also contributed large amounts to Trump’s inaugural fund, with financial institutions Goldman Sachs and Bank of America donating seven figures.
And to the degree that it helps give you a lens on how other people may feel, I think that's a gift in and of itself."
Cook's comments come at a challenging time for Apple and Cook, with the Apple CEO accused of pandering to Chinese state demands.
Earlier this month, Apple removed an app from its App Store that let Hong Kong residents track police movements, with the app having received heavy criticism in Chinese state media the previous day.
Cook and Apple drew heavy criticism from US lawmakers including Sen.
Marco Rubio and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In a memo sent to Apple employees first obtained by Bloomberg, Cook defended his decision on the grounds that the app was being used to "maliciously target individual officers for violence."
More recently, Cook accepted a chairman role at a prestigious Chinese university whose board members also include Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.