Apple CEO Tim Cook today publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation for the first time, explaining that, “I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.”

Tim Cook

In a guest post for Bloomberg Businessweek, the high-profile CEO explained that throughout his professional life went out of his way to ensure that business and personal matters were kept separate. However, he had a change of heart after reflecting upon a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King.

“I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today.”

Cook went on to say that he has been open regarding his sexuality with colleagues at Apple for years, and it hasn’t made a difference regarding how he is treated. At the same time, however, he acknowledged that not everyone is so lucky to work for a company that has advocated for human rights and equality in the way that Apple has.

“Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day” — Tim Cook

“While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook said.

“Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day,” he added. “It’s made me more empathetic, which has led to a richer life. It’s been tough and uncomfortable at times, but it has given me the confidence to be myself, to follow my own path, and to rise above adversity and bigotry. It’s also given me the skin of a rhinoceros, which comes in handy when you’re the CEO of Apple.”

Cook went on to say that he is proud of the progress America has made towards marriage equality and other, similar policies. However, he stressed that there is still much to achieve so that people don’t have to live in fear of declaring their sexual orientation openly. Cook added that he does not think of himself as an activist, but explained that he hopes his story can help inspire others.

“I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others,” he said. “So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it’s worth the trade-off with my own privacy.”

“Part of social progress is understanding that a person is not defined only by one’s sexuality, race, or gender. I’m an engineer, an uncle, a nature lover, a fitness nut, a son of the South, a sports fanatic, and many other things,” he added. “I hope that people will respect my desire to focus on the things I’m best suited for and the work that brings me joy.”

“When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. King and Robert F. Kennedy. I don’t pretend that writing this puts me in their league. All it does is allow me to look at those pictures and know that I’m doing my part, however small, to help others. We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.”

Cook was named Apple CEO in August 2011, replacing Steve Jobs.

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