Apple chief executive Tim Cook has publicly acknowledged his sexuality, saying that he is "proud to be gay".

Mr. Cook made his announcement to try to help people struggling with their identity, he wrote in a Bloomberg Businessweek article.

He has been open about his sexuality, but has also tried to maintain a basic level of privacy until now, he said.

This week Mr. Cook challenged his home state of Alabama to ensure the rights of gay and transgender people.

Privacy trade-off

"While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven't publicly acknowledged it either, until now," he wrote.

"So, let me be clear: I'm proud to be gay and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me," he added.

He said he didn't consider himself an activist, but that he realized he had "benefited from the sacrifice of others."

"So if hearing that the CEO [chief executive] 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," he added.

Mr. Cook said that he had been open about his sexuality with many people, including colleagues at Apple, but that it still "wasn't an easy choice" to publicly announce his sexual orientation.

He quoted civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King, saying: "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' "

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29829763

Image: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS1bflsoXAcw5Mm73q6ae7ar3xTaJoXNPmMtBdJgqjBE46jozIFqg

VOCABULARY WORDS:

1. Announcement (noun) ~ a public statement
2. Ensure (verb) ~ to make sure or certain
3. Deny (verb) ~ to state that (something declared or believed to be true) is not true
4. Activist (noun) ~ an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, especially a political cause.
5. Struggle (verb) ~ to contend with an adversary or opposing force
6. Trade-off (noun) ~ the exchange of one thing for another of more or less equal value, especially to effect a compromise
7. Colleague (noun) ~ an associate
8. Persistent (adj.) ~ lasting or enduring tenaciously

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Mr. Cook opt to publicly announce his sexual preference?
2. Do you think that his public admission will affect the status of Apple Company? If so, how?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. What are your personal thoughts on homosexuality?
2. Do you think that the sexual preference of famous people is something that should be publicly announced and discussed? Why?