Apple CEO Tim Cook made headlines in 2014 when he rocked the business world by coming out of the closet. Now Cook is making headlines again for explaining his reasons why: to answer the appeals of youth.
“I was getting notes from kids who were struggling with their sexual orientation,” Cook said to People in Espanol. “They were depressed. Some said [they] had suicidal thoughts. Some had been banished by their own parents and family.”
Cook says he began to feel the drag of that realization, which prompted him to action. “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.”
Related: How Anderson Cooper Helped Apple CEO Tim Cook Come Out As Gay
When he came out, Cook says he didn’t worry about the reaction within Apple itself, though he did worry about how he would be perceived in the business world and by the general public. “[T]he world is still not friendly to gay or trans people in many countries but also within our country,” he observes.
Nevertheless, Cook continues to be open about his sexuality in hopes of affirming his sexual orientation to kids struggling with queer identity. “Life gets better, that you can have a great life filled with joy,” he continues. “Gay is not a limitation. It’s a characteristic that I hope they view, like I do, that it’s God’s greatest gift.”
Rock-N-RollHS
Greatest gift?? Aside from the fact that there is no god, I wouldn’t go that far.
Condor221
Amen Brother Tim!!
johnnymcmxxx
I agree. It was the greatest gift, luck or honor my life has had. I thank the Gods.
JessPH
If being gay is a choice then it is definitely the correct one.
Heywood Jablowme
Damn. I already asked Santa (who’s the same as God) for an iPad for Xmas. I thought an iPad was the greatest gift! Now Santa is gonna say I already have the greatest gift? Fk you Santa.
theafricanwiththemouth
LMAO!
Kangol2
Being gay is a gift. Homophobia is a horrible side product, though.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Ok Tim now how’s about you start gifting sone of your billions to help Gays who are in desperate need of gifts? Such as homeless Gay kids who are thrown out of their homes by their smcubag “parents” for being Gay?