Apple CEO Tim Cook Coming Out Gay Defies Corporate Norm: Tech Execs Applaud Inspiring Essay

Apple Inc CEO Tim Cook has come out openly in public about being gay in an essay on Bloomberg Businessweek. Reports said that although Cook's sexual orientation was no longer a surprise for the people who work with him, his announcement made him the most prominent head of a publicly traded company to come out.

The 53-year-old Apple executive was never quoted publicly that he was gay since he took over as the company's CEO after Steve Jobs died. In his essay, Cook had observed that he has spent much of his life keeping his personal affairs private. He said since Apple is already one of the companies being closely watched in the world, he wanted to keep the spotlight on the products and the customer's user experience.

In a New York Times report, Cook's sexual orientation was an "open secret" in Silicon Valley. He has never talked about being gay publicly but he has alluded to his sexuality when he talked about facing difficulties growing up in Alabama.

According to a Deloitte study, 83 percent of gays, lesbians and bisexuals try to hide their sexual orientation at work. The Apple CEO defies the norm and is now known as the most prominent gay executive in the corporate world. Cook wrote in the essay that if his coming out gay can help someone accept his or her own sexuality or inspire others who fight for equality, his revelation was worth the trade-off for privacy.

When Cook's essay surfaced, rival executives from technology companies praised his inspiring announcement. Tech executives used Twitter to express their comments regarding Cook's coming out. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google Inc executive Sundar Pichai were inspired by the essay.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a tweet, "Thank you Tim for showing what it means to be real, courageous and authentic leader." Apple executive Philip Schiller also applauded his friend for being courageous and said he was proud to be working for him. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton praised Cook "from one son of the South and sports fanatic to another."

Human Rights Campaign, the biggest LGBT civil rights organisation in the U.S., said in a statement that Cook's essay was a "courageous step forward." The group believes that by coming out in public, Cook has committed to use his influence in the corporate world to fight for LGBT rights. The Apple executive has previously supported LGBT rights in various campaigns. Chad Griffin, Human Rights Campaign President, applauded Cook for "saving countless lives." He said Cook is living proof that the LGBT can be who they want to be.