Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday said that
Alabama was moving too slowly on LGBT rights.
Cook challenged his home state of
Alabama in a speech before his induction into the Alabama Academy of
Honor, which honors the accomplishments of living Alabamans.
“Although there has been much
progress, our state and our nation still have a long way to go before
Dr. King’s dream is a reality,” Cook said. “As a state we took
too long to take steps toward equality, and once we began our
progress was too slow. Too slow on equality for African Americans.
Too slow on interracial marriage, which was only legalized 14 years
ago. And still too slow on equality for the LGBT community. Under
the law, citizens of Alabama can still be fired based on their sexual
orientation.”
“We can't change the past, but we can
learn from it, and we can create a different future,” he added.
While Cook has neither denied nor
confirmed rumors that he's gay, he is a strong supporter of LGBT
rights.
Over the summer, two major outlets,
CNBC and NPR, repeated the rumor. CNBC's mention on Squawk on the
Street led to an awkward moment.
(Related: CNBC,
NPR repeat rumor Apple CEO Tim Cook is gay.)