Tim Cook tops gay glossy Out's
ninth annual Power 50 list.
The 54-year-old Cook returned to the
top spot in this year's list of the most influential gay people,
knocking out last year's champ talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Cook, who claimed the top spot two
years ago, came out gay in October, becoming the only openly gay CEO
in the Fortune 500.
“Despite some negative reactions —
notably in Russia —the world responded largely with a shrug, and
continued its massive love affair with the tech giant,” Out
editors wrote. “Cook’s diversity initiative extends beyond
his own eloquent coming out. He has added three women to Apple’s
executive team and altered Apple’s charter in order to commit the
company to pursuing women and minorities for the board of directors.
That’s progress.”
MSNBC personality Rachel Maddow
remained at third place for a second year.
In fourth place was Wisconsin Senator
Tammy Baldwin. And CNN anchor Anderson Cooper rounded out the top 5.
Actress and transgender advocate
Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black) claimed the ninth spot,
becoming the first transgender person to finish in the list's top 10.