Yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly confirmed he is gay in an article he wrote for Bloomberg Businessweek, making him the highest-profile chief executive to come out.  He stated among other things that, he has been open about his sexual orientation with colleagues at Apple and other people close to him, but has never previously acknowledged his sexual orientation.

In the article in which Cook advocated for human rights and equality, he said he was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King to set aside his desire for privacy to do something “more important.”

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

He added “When I arrive in my office each morning, I’m greeted by framed photos of Dr. [Martin Luther] 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”.

According to Cook, his decision to reveal his sexuality was difficult, and it is his hope that people focus more on his efforts running the tech giant rather than his orientation.

“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, he said”