The Gay Thread

[Irvine511]

while this isn't exactly "news," it's so flawlessly written that i can't not post it somewhere:

Tim Cook Speaks Up
By Tim Cook October 30, 2014


Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them.

At the same time, 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.

For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation. Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky.

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.

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. 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.

The world has changed so much since I was a kid. America is moving toward marriage equality, and the public figures who have bravely come out have helped change perceptions and made our culture more tolerant. Still, there are laws on the books in a majority of states that allow employers to fire people based solely on their sexual orientation. There are many places where landlords can evict tenants for being gay, or where we can be barred from visiting sick partners and sharing in their legacies. Countless people, particularly kids, face fear and abuse every day because of their sexual orientation.

I don’t consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I’ve benefited from the sacrifice of others. 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.

I’ll admit that this wasn’t an easy choice. Privacy remains important to me, and I’d like to hold on to a small amount of it. I’ve made Apple my life’s work, and I will continue to spend virtually all of my waking time focused on being the best CEO I can be. That’s what our employees deserve—and our customers, developers, shareholders, and supplier partners deserve it, too. 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. 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.

The company I am so fortunate to lead has long advocated for human rights and equality for all. We’ve taken a strong stand in support of a workplace equality bill before Congress, just as we stood for marriage equality in our home state of California. And we spoke up in Arizona when that state’s legislature passed a discriminatory bill targeting the gay community. We’ll continue to fight for our values, and I believe that any CEO of this incredible company, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, would do the same. And I will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people until my toes point up.

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.

Tim Cook: "I'm Proud to be Gay" - Businessweek

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Sounded like news to me...

 

[Irvine511]

Sounded like news to me...

really? i thought his being gay was common knowledge. oh well.

 

[nbelcik]

really? i thought his being gay was common knowledge. oh well.

It was common knowledge, but he never has officially acknowledged it in public until now.


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[LuckyNumber7]

Are we talking common knowledge like Anderson Cooper seen with a man common knowledge? Or are we talking looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay common knowledge?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Because if it's the latter, I think you all need to step back and consider what you're doing.

 

[Irvine511]

Common knowledge as in it was speculated about whether or not it would be an issue when Cook took over the company as Jobs' health declined. The consensus was that it wouldn't be an issue and Apple would stand by him regardless.

I'm far from an Apple fanboy, but I certainly knew he was gay.


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[Diemen]

Because if it's the latter, I think you all need to step back and consider what you're doing.

I think there are more options than just the two you presented.

 

[PhilsFan]

I know some sites like Gawker more or less "confirmed" it with sources back when rumors first started that Jobs was stepping down, which would have been, what, 2010 or early 2011?

 

[nbelcik]

Are we talking common knowledge like Anderson Cooper seen with a man common knowledge? Or are we talking looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay common knowledge?

Confirmed as in what other posters talked about. Not based on "looks gay sounds gay gives gay vibes must be gay." That wouldn't be okay.


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[deep]

When I see somebody that is a CEO or any other profession I accept there is about an 8% chance they may be in a certain minority group. I should accept that it does not matter in relationship to how well they perform their occupation. But still I am always a little taken aback when it is revealed that someone is a Libra.*

* Libra and Business:
Libras dislike hard work, they are lazy when it comes to getting their hands dirty and doing the work themselves. Fortunately, their intuitive instincts are good at telling them where money can come from. They can think up great business ideas that are original and bound for success, they can initiate the idea but they need someone else to do the work. Libras make good business partners but not good business people on their own.

 

[mikal]

der per der

That's it! I'm getting an Android now!

 

[LuckyNumber7]

I think there are more options than just the two you presented.

I don't think it helps if you're not presenting those options. After all, I'm asking a question here. What is "speculation?"

I'm asking because I've never heard this about Cook, and because it definitely offends me when people speculate on people's sexuality without good reason. I just want to know what good reason there was to speculate.

 

[Irvine511]

I don't think it helps if you're not presenting those options. After all, I'm asking a question here. What is "speculation?"

I'm asking because I've never heard this about Cook, and because it definitely offends me when people speculate on people's sexuality without good reason. I just want to know what good reason there was to speculate.

Why does it offend you?



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[LuckyNumber7]

Because people should be allowed to come out on their own accord, not because everyone around them is talking about them.

Furthermore, for those who aren't actually gay, it's not fair to speculate about them when you don't know anything about them.

 

[Galeongirl]

Because people should be allowed to come out on their own accord, not because everyone around them is talking about them.

Furthermore, for those who aren't actually gay, it's not fair to speculate about them when you don't know anything about them.

Why is it not fair to speculate about straight people, but is for gays?


Either way I don't see why it's so offensive to speculate about someone's sexuality. Either option is cool, there's nothing wrong with being gay or straight, so why would this be offensive and not someone's preferences for say, dinner?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Why is it not fair to speculate about straight people, but is for gays?


Either way I don't see why it's so offensive to speculate about someone's sexuality. Either option is cool, there's nothing wrong with being gay or straight, so why would this be offensive and not someone's preferences for say, dinner?

When someone is in the closet or in denial, it's not your place or anyone else's place to say anything. People should be allowed to work at their own pace.

Of course there's nothing wrong with being gay our straight. That doesn't mean you have the right to interfere with someone's personal business.

 

[Irvine511]

Because people should be allowed to come out on their own accord, not because everyone around them is talking about them.

Furthermore, for those who aren't actually gay, it's not fair to speculate about them when you don't know anything about them.

i think Tim Cook did come out on his own accord, and what i loved about it was that he didn't describe it as incidental, but as a critical part of his identity and worldview, and also as a gift. it's not the only thing he is, but it's central to who he is as a person.

for those who aren't actually gay, i agree that we shouldn't necessarily assume anything about anyone, guess some of that may come with the territory if you are a public figure (i.e., Oprah and Gayle, etc). there is such a thing as "gaydar," and i don't think it's the worst thing in the world to be mistaken for gay (or straight, if you are gay). if someone finds that really offensive, maybe it's they who have the problem?

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Well, my point wasn't about Cook in specific.

People don't necessarily find it as offensive in the light you're speaking of it. It's got nothing to do with gay vs straight. It has everything to do with "none of your business."

I had a roommate who had a really effeminate voice. He's straight. Everyone would always ask me if I thought he was gay. Why is that fair to someone to be labeled in the minds of others? No, there's nothing wrong with being gay. But, for example, back on GGs topic of dinner selection.... Don't you think it'd be annoying if every time you sat down to dinner and the waiter or waitress said "you probably love sushi" just because you're Asian?

 

[Diemen]

As long as you're not treating the person any differently, I don't think a little idle speculation should be cause for much concern.

 

[nbelcik]

As long as you're not treating the person any differently, I don't think a little idle speculation should be cause for much concern.

It's a form of microaggression. LuckyNumber7 explained perfectly.


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[Diemen]

Wondering whether someone is gay, if you have absolutely no problem if they are and if you aren't in their face asking them if they are, doesn't strike me as a microaggression.

 

[Dfit00]

Gay for pay pornstars are quite attractive and shouldn't be discriminated either, heck they have to make a living too no?

 

[Diemen]

Take your trolling elsewhere.

 

[LuckyNumber7]

Wondering whether someone is gay, if you have absolutely no problem if they are and if you aren't in their face asking them if they are, doesn't strike me as a microaggression.

Well I think there's a fine line between wondering and speculating or assuming though.

 

[Galeongirl]

True, it's a different thing when someone is assuming things. But I don't think it's bad to wonder about it.

 

[U2loverforever]

What exactly is the purpose of this thread? It does not matter what anyone's preference is, we are all people with feelings.


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[Irvine511]

I appreciate the thought, but maybe you should read the thread?

People who are gay don't have the luxury of pretending it doesn't matter, since they are treated differently by the world. It does matter. And sometimes in a good way.

Also, "preference" isn't a good word to use. "Orientation" is more accurate.


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[Galeongirl]

Pretty much that there's a lot of places in this world where it still DOES matter, sadly enough. And we tend to discuss that and rejoice when another US state or a country joins the future in realising that we're actually all humans and that it's fucking dumb to hate someone just because an age old book tells us so.

 

[nbelcik]

I was reading Right Wing Watch this morning (it's a blog run by People for the American Way that tracks the horribly bigoted things prominent right-wingers say) and they found this column that was the typical bigoted screed against LGBTQ people. What was interesting is that the column quoted a U2 song. And not just any U2 song, but the original version of Mercy.

Here's the quote from the column: "In his song 'Mercy,' Bono stated that love is 'charity and brings with it a clarity.'"

And here's a link to the Right Wing Watch article about the column: http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/pastor-claims-ellen-degeneres-marriage-destroying-america-0



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