I’ve always loved Apple. But now, I love it even more. Tim Cook, Apple CEO, released a powerful statement that publicly reveals his sexuality.

Cook says,”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.”

This is a bold and brave move. Coming out as a gay individual to your closest family and friends is already hard enough — but when you’re the CEO of one of the largest companies in the world, that decision is almost impossible to make.

I could just imagine what was going on in his mind before he released this statement: scrutiny from members of the public who are not open to homosexualty, boycotts to the brand from hardcore Christian and traditional groups, hate mail, gossip, inappropriate media coverage, and ultimate surrender of his privacy, could be just some of his many concerns. But despite that, he used his platform to send a message of hope and encouragement. He’s a leader through and through.

Cook says, “We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick.” If there’s a quote I’d like to live by, thus would be it. Now, I have to figure out what my brick will be. What’s yours?

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-30/tim-cook-im-proud-to-be-gay