Apple CEO publicly acknowledges that he's gay

NEW YORK - Apple CEO Tim Cook's declaration that he's "proud to be gay" wasn't exactly news in Silicon Valley, where his sexual orientation was no secret. But advocates say that given Apple's immense reach and visibility, his coming-out could help change attitudes in workplaces across America.

The 53-year-old successor to Steve Jobs made the announcement in an essay published Thursday by Bloomberg Businessweek. He is the highest-profile U.S. business executive to publicly acknowledge that he's gay.

In a country where more major-league athletes have come out than top CEOs, business leaders said Cook's disclosure was an important step toward easing antigay stigma, particularly for employees in the many states where people can still be fired for their sexual orientation.

Cook said in the essay that while he never denied his sexuality, he never openly acknowledged it, either. He said he acted now in the hopes that his words could make a difference to others.

"I've come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important," he wrote.

Besides Cook, there are no other openly gay CEOs in the Fortune 1,000. Some executives of major U.S. corporations who are openly gay at their companies declined to comment to the Associated Press.

Fifty-three percent of workers in the U.S. who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender hide that part of their identity at work, according to a study by Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay-rights group.

Cook's announcement "will save countless lives," said Chad Griffin, president of Human Rights Campaign. "Apple has consistently fought for the LGBT community, and we're incredibly grateful that today's announcement will bring even more to their work for equality."

Three days ago, Cook challenged his home state of Alabama to better ensure the rights of the LGBT community. Alabama is among the states that do not recognize same-sex marriage, and offers no legal protections on the basis of orientation or gender identity.

It remains to be seen how the news will affect Cook's reception in conservative countries where Apple Inc. does business.

"The global reaction to this is going to be very interesting," said Todd Sears, who runs Out Leadership, a group that promotes gay rights. "Will Singapore arrest Tim Cook the next time he is there?"