Apple CEO Tim Cook Publicly Comes Out as Gay in Letter Declaring Support for Equality

[LordVic]

Because its never been something you’ve had to conceal. Having role models, having someone you can think of as “oh, they are gay/black/trans/latino/disabled/bisexual/asian and they are still great at what they do is unbelievably, until you have faced that lack of representation in the media you can never, and will never understand it.

but i think thats the point he's attempting to make.

He hopes that one day it will no longer be news, not because there aren't gays, but because its perfectly accepted as normal. That the sexual orientation of people are kept private and have no impact on how anyone is treated.

I long for that ideal to. That doesn't mean I'm not supporting of equality. it means i long for equality. Where Tim cook doesn't have to come out to be a gay role model. Where kids can grow up gay, straight, bi, trans, cis, or whatever thing that makes them happy, without the fear or need for a role model to give them hope. They should have hope without that.

I understand we are not there yet though. I've seen friends fight over it. I've seen people my age (30's) still hiding from their families.

I long for the day that a gay couple can walk down the street holding hands as equally as straight people, without anyone judging.

 

[Mtmspa]

I couldn't be happier for Tim.

I want to live in a world that this isn't news. I want to live in a world where this doesn't matter. But we don't live in that world.

I hope we all live to see a day and age when equality is the norm both socially and legally. Sadly we aren't there yet, as Tim writes legal discrimination is still prevalent.

This is important. Both on the macro level of America's most important company having a gay ceo, and the micro level of being a role model to young people coming to grips with themselves.

I can't imagine how powerful it must be for a teen in the Deep South to know that Tim Cook was just like them. And it gets better.

So thank you Tim for this selfless act of giving away your privacy to help others.

I want to live in a world where straight is the norm and gay is the exception. I want to live ina world where the gay agenda is not pushed to everyone. I want to live in a world that makes the gay the outcast and not the person that believes it is wrong.

 

[Kaibelf]

Who in the hell cares and what the hell does this have to do with making computers and mobile devices???

This is the kind of crap that makes me mad. Someone using their high position as a business person to push a personal agenda. Just do your job Cook and leave your personal life at home. I don't need it in my face.

Young gay teens attempt to kill themselves every day because people just like you shove their sexuality in their faces as if it's a bad thing. He's trying to help those people that people like YOU attack. If it's too much to handle, buy another brand. Or grow up.

 

[Technarchy]

Steve Jobs didn't care if Tim was gay or not.

That's good enough for me.

Steve also wanted his teams hunkered down and distraction free.

Tim is out. Yay great, but the primary focus must always be Apple and making great products. His personal life can never be his public priority or something that takes time and energy away from Apple.

I don't want to see his face on The View or Ellen while Apple is bricking phones. Before he sets foot in any parade there needs to be less buggy product launches.

The entire Apple squad is getting way too drunk on being rock stars and public figures lately. Tim made his statement now get back to work.

 

[MDiddy]

The bigoted voice is yours, telling others what they should or should not believe. Why can't you have some tolerance for the beliefs of others? You have zero tolerance for any beliefs that don't mesh with your own - the dictionary definition of a bigot.

This is exactly what is wrong with the gay agenda today - it's filled with hate and intolerance. Any who doesn't goose-step to the gay agenda gets attacked. The gay agenda is using the same tactics against Christians today, that the KKK used against blacks decades ago. It's pure unfiltered hate, wrapped in a rainbow colored flag.

'Same tactics'? Slow down. Are Christians being lynched by supporters of the 'gay agenda'? Are they being terrorized away from voting booths? Are your children being bombed in churches? Frankly, as an African American - that comparison is deplorable.

You certainly have a right to your opinion/beliefs like everyone else. But you don't have a right for your beliefs to interfere with anyone else's basic human rights. If you want a religious-sponsored state there are some folks along the Syria/Iraq/Turkey borders that would love to talk to you.

 

[tmoerel]

Sadly enough it is now more acceptable in the US to openly say you are gay than to openly admit you are an atheist.

I respect both groups equally and i hope the average person in the US might do to one day.

 

[Sketchr]

I can't help but chuckle at the fact that some believe this is the first time Cook has "come out". Cook has likely come out to friends, family and colleagues years ago, but this statement is just to pacify the media.

 

[madrobby]

Bravo to Tim Cook for making a stance.

If you feel that this somehow affects your live in a negative way, you must really, really suck at living. Poor whining cry-babies.

 

[tmoerel]

I want to live in a world where straight is the norm and gay is the exception. I want to live ina world where the gay agenda is not pushed to everyone. I want to live in a world that makes the gay the outcast and not the person that believes it is wrong.

And I want to live in a world where your kind does not exist!

 

[MentalFloss]

Unfortunately, I'll never understand why it is important for an individual to publicly announce to the world who they like to have sex with???????????

Actually, if you read the Macrumors article that you are responding to, you would find the explanation there.

I don't recall Steve Jobs publicly announcing to the world, during his CEO tenure, his sexual preference.

What does Steve Jobs have to do with this?

Apple truly is not the visionary company it used to be.

Did people actually keep saying the same thing when Apple did nothing else but release a new iPod year after year? Who was CEO then, by the way?

The previous CEO made it his job to publically announce his passion for everything Apple.... I can't say the same about the current CEO.

Actually, if you read the Macrumors article that you are responding to, you would find that kind of "announcement" there as well. Actually, you'd find it in practically every Tim Cook interview.

 

[ReanimationN]

I want to live in a world where straight is the norm and gay is the exception. I want to live ina world where the gay agenda is not pushed to everyone. I want to live in a world that makes the gay the outcast and not the person that believes it is wrong.

You live in that world, people are trying to change that.

 

[Xultar]

For the people that don't understand why Tim's coming out is necessary.


There are thousands of young gay kids out there who have committed suicide because they felt they couldn't make it.

Having LGBTQ role models to look up to can save some kids lives.

This is important.

Apple is a part of the world community. Tim being who he is and living his life out and proud is important for everyone in the world community because the world includes EVERYONE!

I salute you Tim for coming out and living your life out and proud. I also salute Tim for knowing how important his value is for being a role model. Maybe one day we will advance past the fact that LGBTQ need to come out.

If I had a LGBTQ kid, I'd love him or her to have Tim to look up to! A business leader, great guy that just happens to be gay. How cool is that!

 

[filmantopia]

To say homosexuality would lead to beastiality is like saying religious practice would lead to human sacrifices to the gods.

 

[Macinva]

I understand everyone has the right to opinions, but it's comical how many "keyboard psychiatrists" and other experts come out of the woodwork when something like this is reported.

I personally don't care either way. It's his life and decision, not mine.

 

[Lostanddamned]

I don't recall Steve Jobs publicly announcing to the world, during his CEO tenure, his sexual preference.

Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Steve Jobs.

Lisa Brennan-Jobs, the daughter of Steve Jobs.

These people act, to some extent, as an announcement of sexuality. They are simply not seen as such due to heterosexuality being treated as “normal”, so acting on the impulse to have sex with, and conceive children with someone of the opposite sex as an announcement of ones sexuality.

 

[D.T.]

Some of these posts are quite disgusting, anyway good on him.

Someone actually wrote (slightly paraphrased): “...the gay agenda is hate and intolerance...” and there were up votes for it? Holy hell, that level of ignorance is astounding!

Yes, because his sexuality stops him from designing a good product...

There isn't enough money in the Mac Mini to warrant a full redesign, having non-upgradeable RAM was an attempt to increase the money in it.

Hahaha ....


Engineer: “Here’s the new Mac Mini, as you can see, the RAM is still user upgradable”

Tim Cook: “Well as a gay man, I find that unacceptable. Solder the RAM ... and paint it a fabulous purple color.”

Eningeer: “Sir?”

TC: “OK, scratch that last part”

 

[sviato]

Not sure if I remember correctly, but didn't Steve Jobs allude to this in his biography?

 

[gnasher729]

I want to live in a world where straight is the norm and gay is the exception. I want to live ina world where the gay agenda is not pushed to everyone. I want to live in a world that makes the gay the outcast and not the person that believes it is wrong.

That's easily done. I can recommend a few countries that you can move to. You won't be missed.

And I want to live in a world where your kind does not exist!

An old saying: "Nobody is completely useless. You can always serve as a bad example. " We can always put him in a zoo and show him to our kids. Tell them "that's where you will end up if you don't brush your teeth".

I can't help but chuckle at the fact that some believe this is the first time Cook has "come out". Cook has likely come out to friends, family and colleagues years ago, but this statement is just to pacify the media.

If you read the article, that's what he said.

 

[peglegjack]

I wonder if the Samsung CEO will suddenly become gay too.

We can pretty much pack it up now, tie a bow, whatever. Because no one is topping this.

 

[Jynto]

Some of these posts are quite disgusting, anyway good on him.

You're not even seeing the ones that got deleted by the mods. They are much worse. I can entirely understand why they deleted them, but it makes me feel like they are pushing the problem under the rug, as they are making the MacRumors community look less bigoted than it actually is.

Honestly, when awful stuff like this gets posted...

I am not meant to attacking him. But gay? Yooooooooooooooo....... Homosexuals are disgusting, it is not normal. Can you imaging two guys playing each other's ball? Yooooooooooooooooo....... Just Yoooooooooooooo......

He is the night be a good CEO and human being... But bing gay, it is terrible, not normal... He should not be CEO of Apple. Can you imaging a gay president? That is crazy!!!!!

Now, you guys can go on... While I need go puke.

Seriously? While I support gays rights, but i still think gays are disgusting.... He is just setting s terrible example for the young one, thinking being gay is normal. It is not. I am not religious, but I hate homosexuals. Just not normal.

...people need to know about it, because it's an important reminder that this sort of bigot still exists. It's easy to read a sanitised discussion where all the vitriol has been edited out, and come out with an unduly optimistic view of society.

Because it just gives fuel to the people who say that humanity has progressed past this, and that it shouldn't be an issue anymore (usually as a veil for their own homophobic beliefs). For as long as threads like this need to be so heavily moderated, thus it will remain an issue.

 

[millar876]

You didn't have to come out because assuming that you're straight is the default...

Now, imagine the reverse. Imagine that being gay was the norm. That your parents kept asking your when you will get married to a nice man. That your colleagues kept asking if you had a good week-end with your husband. Imagine that when you go have a drink with colleagues, you would have to ear jokes and remarks about how straight men are disgusting. Imagine that you would have to hide the fact that you have a wife for fear of being banned from promotion at work. Imagine that when in public you would not dare take your wife hand for fear of being beaten or killed by extremists?
Just a couple of months ago we had a gay couple severely beaten by extremists, the guy spent weeks in hospital, lost of a bunch of teeth, had broken skull and jaw and will suffer for his whole life. His crime was to have held the hand of his boyfriend in downtown Paris and to cross the path of extremists...

Now, you really would not feel the need to come out?

No not really, most of the people I know refer to their significant other as their partner wether or not they are of the same sex. A friend of mine refers to his same sex partner as "the wife". My wife's uncle has never came out as gay but he is married to a same sex partner and we were all at the wedding. Has he came out and said I'm gay, never. One of my childhood friends even asked me on a night out (about 18 years ago) if I was scared to drink from his beer bottle because I might become gay so I finished his beer and got the next round in. Maybe I'm lucky to have work colleagues and friends that don't care either way. But there will always be people in this world who want to stir the $h1t and make others lives a misery. When my little girls grow up I don't care who they end up with, so long as they're happy, and that person never hurts them.

 

[Brenster]

Entirely Tim's decision to comment on this. That said I'm inordinately pleased; a couple of years back Apple released a video of employee testimony as part of a wider campaign against gay bullying and discrimination. That video had me in floods of tears; it'd be hard to find a reasonable human being who wouldn't have been moved it.

Apple is and has been many things, both under Jobs and now, and with regards to tax antics etc I don't neccessarily approve of all of them (like anyone might care).

With Tim's announcement I'm happy and a tiny bit proud of the company whose products I buy & love so much. One step further towards the day when such matters are commonly regarded as being unremarkable.

 

[downpour]

I want to live in a world where straight is the norm and gay is the exception. I want to live ina world where the gay agenda is not pushed to everyone. I want to live in a world that makes the gay the outcast and not the person that believes it is wrong.

Why do you think it is wrong?

The biggest threat facing our species is our exponential population growth.

Homosexuality may well save us from extinction, or at least postpone it a while.

 

[Prof.]

Proud of you, Tim.

 

[robjulo]

Point me to any legislation, even a single piece that is attempting to repeal voting rights for minorities.

Gay rights are under assault every day in Congress through efforts to repeal or "Jim Crow" these equal protections. The same with voting rights for minorities.