Apple CEO Tim Cook: I get messages from gay teens considering suicide
Apple CEO Tim Cook has opened up about his coming out journey, revealing why he chose not to address his sexuality until last year.
Mr Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs as the head of the Cupertino firm, spoke about his sexuality for the first time last year, having previously insisted on maintaining his own privacy.
He has shown his support for LGBT rights on a number of occasions since, however, even marching at Pride events.
Speaking to CBS 60 Minutes this week, the CEO explained why he has described his sexuality as a “gift”.
He said: “When you’re in a minority group it gives you a sense of empathy, of what it’s like to be in the minority. You begin to look at things from different point of views, and I think it was a gift for me.”
Of why he didn’t come out sooner Cook added: “Honestly, I value my privacy. I’m a very private person.
“But it became increasingly clear to me that if I said something that it could help other people.
“And I’m glad, because I think that some kid somewhere, some kid in Alabama, I think if they just for a moment stop and say ‘if it didn’t limit him, it may not limit me.’
“Or, this kid that’s getting bullied. Or worse, I’ve gotten notes from people contemplating suicide.
“And so if I could touch just one of those, it’s worth it. And I couldn’t look myself in the mirror without doing it.”
Cook is the only openly gay CEO across the top 500 US companies.
Watch the full profile below:
