Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook on
Monday said for the first time that he supports a bill which seeks to
prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and
gender identity.
Cook made his endorsement hours before
the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) cleared a critical
hurdle in the U.S. Senate.
(Related: Gay
protections bill ENDA clears cloture hurdle in Senate.)
“As we see it, embracing people's
individuality is a matter of basic human dignity and civil rights,”
Cook wrote in an op-ed published in the Wall
Street Journal. “It also turns out to be great for the
creativity that drives our business. We've found that when people
feel valued for who they are, they have the comfort and confidence to
do the best work of their lives.”
While Cook has not publicly discussed
his sexual orientation, he's a staple on Out magazine's annual
ranking of America's most powerful gays.
“If our coworkers cannot be
themselves in the workplace they certainly cannot be their best
selves,” Cook added.
While the Senate is now expected to
approve the measure, its fate looks bleak in the House, where House
Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, on Monday repeated his
opposition to the measure.
Boehner “believes this legislation
will increase frivolous litigation and cost American jobs, especially
small business jobs,” a spokesman said.
(Related: Obama:
ENDA will face resistance in the House.)