“He has always been a role model,” according to HRC

Oct 31, 2014 11:08 GMT  ·  By

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin has released a statement to applaud Apple’s CEO for coming out in an essay published by Bloomberg Businessweek, opining that Cook’s announcement “will save countless lives.”

The HRC is the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group in the United States, with more than 1.5 million members and supporters. Only hours after Apple’s CEO came out as gay in his op-ed for Businessweek, the human rights organization published the following statement, signed Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, to its blog.

LGBT young people can dream big

“Tim Cook’s announcement today will save countless lives. He has always been a role model, but today millions across the globe will draw inspiration from a different aspect of his life.  Tim Cook is proof that LGBT young people can dream as big as their minds will allow them to, whether they want to be doctors, a U.S. Senator, or even CEO of the world’s biggest brand.  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.”

The HRC regards Cook’s op-ed as a courageous step forward. As Cook himself had already noted in the piece, HRC observed that “using the influence that comes with heading of one of the world’s largest corporations” can be a powerful weapon in the fight for the rights and equality of LGBT people across the United States.

The group also notes that Apple has consistently scored a perfect 100 points on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, as the Cupertino giant promotes inclusive workplaces practices.

The HRC further acknowledges that Apple has also advocated for “legal solutions to discrimination like marriage equality and workplace non-discrimination laws at the federal level.”

Cook traded his privacy for advocacy

In his op-ed yesterday, Cook noted that he’d initially chosen to keep this matter private, and that he hoped he could still hold on to what privacy he has left. He expressly states that, “Part of social progress is understanding that a person is not defined only by one’s sexuality, race, or gender,” and continued to enumerate things like his profession and hobbies.

“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,” Cook noted.