Apple CEO Tim Cook Publicly Comes Out: "I'm Proud To Be Gay" [PHOTO]

Apple's CEO Tim Cook has publicly confirmed that he is gay in a heartfelt essay published today, Thursday, Oct. 29. Cook published his essay in Bloomberg Businessweek. In the piece, he advocates human rights and equality. His inspiration? Dr. Martin Luther King.

"Throughout my professional life, I've tried to maintain a basic level of privacy," the essay reads.

However, with the words of King ringing in the back of his head Cook realized that his desire for privacy was holding him back from reaching out to others who many be struggling with the issue as well.

"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."

The nearly 54-year-old businessman joined Apple in 1998 as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations. There is very little known of his private life, except that he is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys hiking and cycling. In fact, his privacy goes as far as using an off-campus fitness center for maximum security.

"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."

The CEO continues in his essay to state, "Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provide a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day."