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Apple inviting employees to march in annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade

SF Pride

Apple has invited its employees through an internal memo to participate and represent the company together next month at San Francisco’s annual LGBT pride parade. Apple will host a base camp for registered attendees made up of Apple employees and their families and will supply entertainment and breakfast as well as T-shirts for participants. This year’s Pride Celebration and Parade marks the 44th annual gathering and has been host to the likes of Apple, Google, and Facebook (including CEO Mark Zuckerberg) in recent years.Apple as a company certainly has not been shy about wearing its pride on its sleeve with the company being a big advocate for legislation proposed in Congress in part intended to protect LGBT workers from discrimination.

The Apple CEO shared on Twitter last month his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with this message: “The House should mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act by passing ENDA”

Cook has also gone as far as writing an opinion-editorial for The Wall Street Journal last year laying out his and Apple’s support for the legislation and effort:

As we see it, embracing people’s individuality is a matter of basic human dignity and civil rights. 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.

Cook went on to say that Apple’s own policies exceed the protections proposed in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act as it fosters an environment that celebrates diversity.

Notably, Apple publicly opposed a controversial state bill in Arizona that was largely viewed as discriminatory against the LGBT community; that bill was later vetoed.

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Comments

  1. rogifan - 10 years ago

    Has Apple done this before under Jobs or is this a Cook thing? It seems like Cook’s Apple is much more outwardly political.

    • acslater017 - 10 years ago

      I’m stealing this from a podcast, but it does indeed seem that Tim Cook’s outward persona is that of Apple’s moral heart, whether it is homosexual equality, workers rights, or environmental stewardship. Steve was a visionary and the best salesman in the world, but people didn’t exactly look to him for moral leadership. Good for Cook that he’s steadily finding his voice. The new products will come when they come – but regardless, Apple in 2014 is a better company than it was 5 years ago.

    • Carlos Edwards - 10 years ago

      Since when is promoting equality for all people political?

      • rogifan - 10 years ago

        I would consider gay rights to be a political issue. I think Tim Cook needs to be careful how political he gets. Apple doesn’t want to alienate millions of customers that are more right of center. I’m sure Apple wasn’t any less left of center under Jobs but it seemed to be more about the products where as now it’s more about political causes like global warming and gay rights.

      • mikhailt - 10 years ago

        It’s political in US since the majority of Americans is Christian.

      • It’s not. Supporting basic human rights is an ethical thing. A moral thing.

    • dustinblake - 10 years ago

      I’m not sure if this has been done every year, but I marched with the Apple contingent back in 2001, (I was friends with someone interning there and was invited to tag along) and I know I’ve seen them at least 3 or 4 times since then. There are hundreds upon hundreds of contingents in the parade, and groups like this one (which primarily consist of LGBT employees, their families and supportive allies) are usually in the latter half of the progression.

      To be honest, there’s a lot of folks in the LGBT community that complain that the Pride Parade is too commercialized and not political enough; I wouldn’t entirely disagree with that sentiment—it’s not a radicalized event, and participation in the parade is hardly a political statement these days. I’m don’t have any affiliation with Apple, but I’d guess that participation is intended to show solidarity and support of their LGBT employees, demonstrating their commitment to diversity and as a reminder that all of their employees (and all people) are valued and appreciated for their unique contributions.

  2. nonyabiness - 10 years ago

    As a heterosexual male, I say: THANK YOU TIM! We need as many people and companies as possible to stand up for the equal rights of all humans, everywhere.

  3. togetherinparis - 10 years ago

    Wow, this is a modern attitude for Apple. Maybe we should all just get along?

  4. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 10 years ago

    It’s too bad Apple’s morales don’t extend to refusing to sell their products in countries which punish homosexuality with death, and stone women to death for adultery.

  5. TechPeeve (@TechPeeve) - 10 years ago

    When will Apple start supporting NAMBLA?

    • Never, because you’re an idiot.

      • daitenshe - 10 years ago

        Zing?

    • chasinvictoria - 10 years ago

      There’s always one jerkoff douchebag in every online thread. Congrats, in this one its you.

      • daitenshe - 10 years ago

        I don’t know if the guy calling people “douchebag jerkoffs” is doing much more to help with the integrity of the thread…

      • chasinvictoria - 10 years ago

        If the steel-toed boot fits …

      • daitenshe - 10 years ago

        Kick people’s faces in with them in the name of tolerance?

  6. Brian Annette Ellis - 10 years ago

    If God had intended the human race to be fulfilled through both heterosexual and homosexual marriage, He would have designed our bodies to allow reproduction through both means and made both means of sexual intercourse healthy and natural. Homosexual anal intercourse carries a high risk of disease, this is recognized in Scripture where gay men are said to receive in their bodies the due penalty for their error ROMANS 1:27

    • chasinvictoria - 10 years ago

      How many homosexuals does God have to create before you finally accept the fact that He apparently wants them around?

      Also, you seem to be inferring that heterosexual anal intercourse is okay. Is that what you meant? Finally, if you’re going to quote Romans, I’m going to quote Leviticus, and point out how incredibly silly your Bible is, so seriously … don’t go there if you can’t handle the truth.

      PS. If anal (and, I would assume by your inference, oral intercourse) is wrong, why did God design those holes to fit penises? And make our arms long enough to masturbate? What’s your view on masturbation, is it God-approved? He certainly seems to have been a very UNintelligent designer, or not thought through what people might do with the tools provided, so to speak, don’t you agree?

      • Phil Seitz - 10 years ago

        You need to seriously chill dude. Your looking for tolerance of other people for homosexuality, but not willing to provide it for their religious beliefs. I think you need to sit back and try to deal with your disapproval in a less negative way.
        In my opinion people don’t have to agree, we should be kind to others regardless of their beliefs. I also believe that when it comes to computers, let’s just sell computers and leave sexuality to be privately discussed.

      • cocowheats - 10 years ago

        So quote Leviticus then and show us all how “silly” the Bible is.

      • Brian Annette Ellis - 10 years ago

        As happened with homosexuals 30 years ago, pedophiles have been officially classified as a “sexual orientation.”1. So it’s just a matter of time (and a media push for tolerance and understanding) until Peds will be accepted as normal people, be allowed to marry, and be allowed to do what they want to kids as long as the child isn’t harmed (whatever that means).

        If the pedophile moves next door and you say anything against him, it will be considered narrow-minded hate speech. This has to come about because it is the predictable regression of any society that forsakes the moral absolutes of God’s Law, the First of which is to honor God in all of our ways as a nation. When the Ten Commandments are removed, anything becomes morally acceptable if society deems it to be okay. It happened with the killing of children in the womb. It happened with homosexuality. And it will happen with pedophiles because “they are born that way. They can’t help it. It’s neither a sickness nor a sin.”

      • drw72 - 10 years ago

        God also created us with the ability to kill, to torture, to destroy. While there are people who do commit such acts does not make them right. I am not saying that whatever ones sexual orientation happens to be is right or wrong. I just wanted to point out that just because we have the ability to do something does not mean we should do it. Unlike other animals, we as humans have the ability to control our actions. We have free will….

        To get as base as ‘chasinvictoria’, your PS comment is logically faulty…penises fit in a lot of places…does this mean we should have sex with animals? While this sounds extreme, unnatural, and disgusting to most people so did homosexuality 20 years ago. Where does it end?

        Again, I am not judging anyone else’s life styles or sexual orientation. I am not equating homosexuality with bestiality. It just seems to me that people today don’t consider how far their actions will lead. These days’ people are focused on themselves and could care less about the rest of the country or world much less about the future. Nobody looks at the “big picture”.

    • dustinblake - 10 years ago

      and if god had solely intended sexual intercourse to result in reproduction, then why do women have ovulation cycles? shouldn’t there be some kind of limit to prevent intercourse the rest of the time if that’s the case? No! Reproduction is not the sole reason for sex, however sex IS a perfectly normal and healthy human activity.

      Consenting adults only, please, and of course, anyone who is sexually active should always take precautions to protect themselves and their health, whether homo / hetero / bi and anyone else. For those underage, not with a partner, or just in the mood and on their own, masturbation is a great way to relieve stress, tension, get in touch with your body, feel good and best of all, it has no risk of any kind of STDs!

      beyond that, not everyone believes in your god. Some believe in other gods, and more and more of us choose not to believe in that which cannot be demonstrated or observed.

      • cocowheats - 10 years ago

        “Reproduction is not the sole reason for sex.” The flip side of that is if everyone on earth was homosexual humanity would become extinct because there would be no reproduction. Oops.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        cocowheats wrote: ““Reproduction is not the sole reason for sex.” The flip side of that is if everyone on earth was homosexual humanity would become extinct because there would be no reproduction. Oops.”

        Seriously, you’re that stupid? Gay or not, people realize to stay the dominate species we must proliferate the planet, therefore, we would still have lesbians having babies from gay men. Your argument is pathetic, and clearly shows your lack of mentality.

      • You think sexual intercourse is the only way to reproduce? Hah…

    • EB (@endogamy) - 10 years ago

      It’s okay Brian, you’ll eventually learn to love and accept yourself. You’ll be much happier when you embrace your homosexuality, I promise!

    • drw72 - 10 years ago

      I am not disagreeing with Brian but I hate it when people pick and choose one or two sentences or verses here and there to back up their point. Most of the time they twist them to fit their own meaning. Always read them in context….

      I do this with all quotes or “proofs” whether it is the Bible, the Koran, or anything else people reference to make a point.

      Read the entire Romans 1 and look at it in context.

      What it basically tells us is that God taught people who He is and provided a path to salvation to the Jew and the Gentile. By allowing them to give in to their ‘lusts’ and unnatural ways, He gave us a choice. People could follow God or reject Him. When they are ultimately judged they will have no excuse (21).

      Don’t take my word for it….read it for yourself.

    • Zoctor Ziglari - 10 years ago

      I’m with you on this. I don’t discriminate against gays and lesbians, but I also don’t approve their life style, there is absolutely no justification for their act. It’s pure unnatural. Again I’m not discriminating, I just don’t think what they do is right.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        So since you don’t discriminate, you’re okay with equality for gays, including marriage?

  7. chasinvictoria - 10 years ago

    For the record, Apple’s support of equal rights for its employees started long before Cook became CEO; I have no idea how much Jobs was involved, but Apple has supported both domestic partnership benefits and marriage equality since before he died.

  8. sardonick - 10 years ago

    Build computers and stay out of politics.

    • rwtd - 10 years ago

      Buy their computers and leave your comments to yourself? Same difference, right?

      • sardonick - 10 years ago

        In your self serving world perhaps. Public forum. Public opinion. If I have to read about gay parades, I’ll post what I want, where I want. Thanks for your useless input.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        And thank you for your self-serving useless response, as well. Touché? And you don’t have to read anything. You chose to read this article, and you chose to comment. Ultimately, your opinion is worthless – you won’t ungay Tim Cook, and you won’t change his political ideology. At least you’re buying American.

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        Tim Cook is not necessarily pro-gay or anti-gay. Apple simply see gay community as a field for promoting sales of their products.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        Tim Cook IS gay. Within the “inner circles” of gay politics, he’s very pro-gay rights.

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        Please provide hard evidence of your statement.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        I’m wouldn’t be able to give you anything but speculative news articles, but I can add that Tim graduated Robertsdale, AL, which was the sister school to my high school. Tim was well known within those years, and also in his college days at Auburn, not to mention in later years. He’s gay, so what.

  9. Brian Annette Ellis - 10 years ago

    Tampering with God’s template

    It has been said that a family can survive without a nation, but a nation cannot survive without the family. Our very existence as a society depends on the success of the family. And while it is vitally important to our culture, the family is under attack today.

    In fact, the Bible tells us that one of the signs of the end times would be a breakdown in the family and a disrespect for parents in particular: “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred” (2 Timothy 3:2 NLT).

    I don’t think anything can bring greater pleasure than our family. And few things can give us as much pain as our family. Kids have problems with parents. Parents have problems with kids. And sometimes people will blame it all on coming from a dysfunctional family. To them I would say, welcome to humanity. Who doesn’t have a dysfunctional family?

    How many marriages have been dissolved over “irreconcilable differences” as well? Who doesn’t have irreconcilable differences? My wife and I have been married 36 years, and we have many differences that will never be reconciled. She is neat, and I am messy, she is sometimes late, and I am early. But we never would dissolve our marriage over them. I am tired of hearing claims of dysfunctional families or irreconcilable differences as excuses for needlessly breaking up families and completely disregarding what the Bible says.

    I grew up in a home of divorce. My mother was married and divorced seven times. We moved around a lot, and people would soon find out that I didn’t have a dad at home. That was considered scandalous back then. Now it is considered curious if you have a mom and a dad who are actually together and you live with both of them. How I thank God for couples who have stayed together and raised their children with a biblical foundation.

    In giving the Ten Commandments, before God spoke a word about how to treat others, he started with the family: “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12 NIV). Notice that God did not give the command to honor your father and your other father. Or, honor your mother and her partner. Or, honor your mother and her live-in lover. No, it says “Honor your father and your mother.” That is God’s order. When we tamper with God’s template, we do so at our own peril.

    Of course, there is a movement afoot to redefine marriage and the family. Media and modern culture are pushing for same-sex marriage. The normalization of homosexuality is gaining momentum. And this is not merely a political issue; it is a moral issue. I would take it even further and say it is a biblical issue. It is a clear-cut issue in Scripture, and either you will think about it biblically, or you will not think about it biblically. Everyone has a worldview. Everyone believes something. Even those who say they don’t believe anything actually believe something. The question is: Is your worldview biblical, or isn’t it?

    There is a living God, and he has revealed himself in the pages of Scripture. Therefore, Christians accept the fact that we have absolute truth from God. We develop our worldview from what the Bible teaches.

    The Bible is very clear in saying that homosexuality is not in God’s order. In the Garden of Eden, God brought a man and a woman together. God is not anti-gay; God is anti-sin. No matter how sin expresses itself, God deals with it. A person is not born a homosexual; he or she is born with a sinful nature, like everyone else in the human race.

    I will acknowledge that a person who is born with a sinful nature might be attracted to members of the same sex. Certainly that can happen. And I would also acknowledge that a person who is born with a sinful nature might be more prone to issues of addiction. Some people, if they touch alcohol or get involved in drugs, become addicts. There are certain people who are perhaps more vulnerable in certain areas.

    But having said that, all these things can be overcome with God’s help. I have met people who once were addicts and no longer are, because they have committed their lives to Jesus Christ. I have met people who were homosexuals and are now happily married and living a heterosexual lifestyle. We all were born sinners in need of a Savior. He can change us and help us to live the life he has called us to live.

    Sometimes people say that the Bible is not clear on this issue. That is false. The Bible is crystal-clear on its teaching on what God says is clearly sin:

    Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people – none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–10 NLT)
    There is no confusion on this issue unless your confusion is with the Bible. Romans 1:22–27 lays it out as plainly as it can be laid out regarding what the Bible teaches on this subject. God’s order for the family is a man and woman – a husband and wife – who are faithful to each other. We need to respect that and give it the honor it deserves.

    Honor your father and mother.

    • dustinblake - 10 years ago

      Brian, I’m happy that you’ve found your god and your religion and your family and your morals. I hope you love and cherish those things, but please, keep all of that to yourself!

      Thankfully, not all of us have to believe what you believe, and it really doesn’t matter what the bible has to say on this or any subject. See, the wonderful thing about the United States is that you are free to choose your religion and those beliefs—just as I can choose my own religious belief or even to choose not to believe in any kind of religion at all. You can’t force your beliefs upon me or anyone else, just like you can’t be forced to follow the teachings of Islam or Buddhism or whatever. Our government is supposed to be neutral—not favoring one religion over another—and that’s a good thing. It’s really the only way that we can truly hope to all get along here. Imagine if, due to climate change, the demographics of this country changed and the majority of people were of another religion that was very different than Christianity. Without this idea that church and state are separate, laws could be changed to favor that religion and perhaps even outlaw the practice of yours. That was the very reason why many people left Europe and came to this country, and that was why this notion of separation of church and state was so enshrined in our formation as a country. They didn’t want to go through that again.

      I’m sure you’re still worked up about “the gays,” and their “agenda,” but being gay, wanting to get married to your partner, or not having to face discrimination at your job or hatred at school… those are basic civil rights. Not having to live in fear or shame because of bullying, or physical threats, violence or even possibly death—just because some people are uncomfortable with who you are… those are basic human rights. The only thing they have to do with religion is that much of what fuels this kind of hatred and fear of homosexuals is from all of the religious dogma that your leaders have whipped up into a fervor. It’s sad, because it seems that all of that hatred and fear has crowded out the good in Christianity.

      Your church doesn’t have to accept gay people, nor does it have to perform or honor gay marriages. You don’t have to agree with me or like me, but can you allow that my existence doesn’t threaten your life, your marriage, or your church? Can you tone down the vitriol and hate so that maybe one gay youth doesn’t get bullied at their school? Can you just agree that no one should be harassed and beaten up? Can you please just stop the hate?

      • Oflife - 10 years ago

        Why should he keep his thoughts to himself? He’s not shoving his opinion (that harms no one) up your backside like those marches do. They take place in America where such rights are already established, so it’s nothing more than a public preening exercise (as browsing Flickr will prove), and if hetrosexual couples behaved that way in public, there would be outrage. His principles are considerate, natural and take the well being of OTHERS such as children into account, not our sexual desires. Re the treatment of gays in Africa, this may have a lot to do with the fact that it is scientific fact that unprotected gay sex spreads AIDS, and Africa has enough problems on it’s hands already, so trying to stop things getting worse. What is really terrifying is the power of the left wing. You don’t seem to be able to accept the opinion of anyone else. Well, I suggest you shut up and listen for once! This is not about anything other than personal responsibility and preserving the family unit. I’m not a bible thumper, but there’s a lot of common sense wisdom in what it says. Feel free to live as you wish, but don’t blame others for the consequences.

        (Typed on a MacBook Pro.)

      • bboysupaman - 10 years ago

        I don’t understand how this kind of hate can occur from so-called Christians. My view is simply this:

        I am a Christian. As such, I believe that homosexuality is wrong according to the Bible. I also believe that the greatest command that we are given is to love one another. While I do not agree with homosexuality, I disagree just as strongly with those that hate, discriminate, and bully those that practice it, as these practices are equally sinful.

        When deciding if someone is worthy of being loved, I don’t care if they are homosexual. I love them. That is the only view you can have while calling yourself a Christian. Jesus was known for showing great kindness to everyone, including those that were considered “sinful”. So how can we as Christians (meaning Christ-like) not be the same way? We will be judged using the same measure by which we judge others. I want to be judged with forgiveness, love, and kindness. =)

      • toleranceisnotjustice - 10 years ago

        @bboysupaman

        “When deciding if someone is worthy of being loved, I don’t care if they are homosexual. I love them. That is the only view you can have while calling yourself a Christian.”

        If you truly believe a gay man to be your brother, you would show him the error of his ways and not just turn a blind eye.

        Matthew 18:15-80, “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

        Also you said, “We will be judged using the same measure by which we judge others.”

        This is true.

        Matthew 18:21-35, “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt.
        28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay his debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

        Then you said right after, “I want to be judged with forgiveness, love, and kindness.”

        This is not true at all. No one will be judged with forgiveness, love, and kindness. If one is to accept God with their heart then they will be forgiven and not be judged. However, if they reject God with their heart then they will receive eternal judgement.

        Let me finish by saying that no one has to be gay. People are not born gay but simply they are born sinful. Everyone is born sinful. They can choose to be homosexual, just as an atheist chooses to reject God. All I want is for homosexuals to be aware of what they’re really choosing with that lifestyle, to be judged after death with an irreversible eternal sentence. However, God can forgive any trespass of man so long as he repents with his heart. Praise be to God!

    • Mike Murray - 10 years ago

      *FACEPALM* – Dude. There is no god. Have you actually read the Bible? It’s BS. Its about a tyrannical asshole killing his creations at ever chance he gets. He’s a psychopath. And for someone who’s supposed to be the most intelligent being ever to exist, he sure spends a lot of time worrying about your Pee Pee and ignoring starving and abused children. He’s no god. He’s the delusions of drunken cave men.

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        Your viewpoint is exceedingly obnoxious. OK you don’t like the bible – who does? – but that does is no reason to disqualify or negate God. Why not hypothetically accept the existence of a supreme being and study a worthwhile exposition such as Bhagavad-gita as it is, a clear and intellectually vastly superior work?

      • Brian Annette Ellis - 10 years ago

        MICROSCOPIC WORLD
        We’ve got the physical world we see but there’s a microscopic world that you have to have a microscope to see, just because you don’t see it with your naked eye doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. and the same is with God we can see his magnificent awesome creation and this is enough proof to to convince anyone with common sense so if we are to look through the lens of the pages of Scripture God will supernaturally reveal himself to you but if your going to believe in the fairytales of evolution and pretend He doesn’t exist He will not reveal himself to you the Lord is Holy and will only reveal Him self to the humble and repentive in heart. So what it boils down to is Atheist are in love with there SIN and most have no plans on Repenting.

      • rwtd - 10 years ago

        Mike Murray, thank you for this brilliance. Seriously! Glory!

        Brian (or is this Annette?) Ellis, that picture of you naked at the bathtub with your dog is seriously freaking me out.

    • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

      I did laugh lots when I read this brian-annette.

      You describe intolerance perfectly, since somehow you think you have ‘ the cure ‘.

      The point is, what someone does in their bedroom is none of your business, and in an equal society people don’t need to be cured of the orientation.

      There have been times and some groups today who think you need to be cured of your Christian fundamentalist ideas. Is it OK to have them enshrined in law to persecute you?

  10. Firstly, I’d like to say that I love Apple’s ‘political’ side as some people are calling it. Apple has always been about doing the right thing. They’ve been far greener than many other companies. For some reason people see Apple not polluting the world and releasing deadly toxic waste directly into drink water a political move. I see it as the right thing to do. In the same way that supporting individuals no matter where they fall on the sexual orientation spectrum. It’s the right thing to do.

    Second, 9to5 should really disable the comments on this article because people can’t seem to say focused on what Apple is doing, and instead have mistaken this as an open debate on homosexuality.

  11. Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

    Jobs had a legagcy of progressive employee issues, he was a hot head in the meeting room but Apple has long had a discrimination free environment… Hiring Cook proves that, many would not have as he is openly gay.
    As for some of the comments below, well I shake my head.. Nambla and paedophilia have zip to do with gay rights in any shape or form, other countries prove gay marriage does NOT destroy the traditional family, in fact the reverse is true, and without a doubt creative industries do attract more G & L employees – so it makes perfect sense to help protect them.

    I think the modern industries mostly share the same vision of Apple on this point – and so kudos to them all. Even if things are not perfect, refusing to hire or rent a property based on sex, violence based on orientation, the denial of benefits to common law partners, all of these things are from a different era and need to be stamped out.

    That said, everyone is racist to a degree, everyone has biases, we often try to fix problems without accepting that fact and that’s why it often fails. The most racist person I know is an east Indian. Not white. So I believe the way to treat these issues is by changing the reaction to their bias not by trying to guilt people into hiding it. Racism too needs to come out of the closet.

    • 94 percent of pedophiles are actually white, heterosexual males, and often friends or relatives to their targets. At least, years ago, when I had to educate people the difference between pedophilia and homosexuality, that is the factual information I carried with me. If that number has changed, my bet is it is slight, and very much non-gay. Contrary to popular opinion, we do not actively recruit, and 99.9 percent of us certainly do not recruit children.

  12. vkd108 - 10 years ago

    Just because an out-of-control person cannot resist inserting his genitals into the evacuating passage of another man, it does not prohibit him from being a sales target.

    • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

      I am guessing you are foreign… But even if you are are… It’s OK to do that if it’s a woman? Somehow that is less ‘ out of control ‘ ?
      I think these boards should be monitored some, this reply is completely off topic and is fuelled by sheer ignorance.

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        I beg to disagree with you entirely on all points. Firstly I am not foreign, unless being non-North American classifies me as foreign, in which case I am definitely and proudly so. Secondly what makes doing so with a woman OK or “less ‘out of control'” as you put it? In my view, it is non-different. Thirdly my reply was not off topic at all, unless you are retarded, cannot read or are as blind as a bat. And lastly, it was not fuelled by any type of ignorance, but conversely by higher knowledge. Thank you.

      • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

        I am not retarded and yes I do think you belong in a different culture because you just fail to get it. You have a comprehension problem, a failure to understand the English language. The piece is about Apple supporting a rights parade, not the virtues of sex, anal or otherwise. You fail to show one speck of higher language calling people retarded when they disagree with you, or using this as a platform for your own deep issues with what people choose to do in their bedroom, as consenting adults – it is none of your business.

        But your comments have zip to do with the story. I am glad I don’t know you personally, and I do wish the moderator would come on here to delete some of these. Equality for our species has very little to do with the sexual act – I find it extremely amusing that people like this one focus on the sex act as the only differentiator of being LBGT. As I said before, you are commenting on things you just don’t understand.

        LGBT people want to be able to rent a home, have family, not be turned away from hospitals when they are ill or their relatives are, have an equal chance of holding employment, discuss benefits if common law – these are nothing to do with your fetish of anal sex. Indeed many LBGT individuals never engage in it. These other issues are what equality is all about, for any sidelined group in our society.

        This is not Russia. Our people are all equal under the law.

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        Let me ask you, what is this article about? Is it about Apple promotions at a gay event? Then I am not wrong. What is the fundamental basis of any loving (lusting) relationship? The answer is sex. How do participants at a gay event engage in sex? Anally, on the whole. So you see, the problem lies with you and your need to defend gays. You see wrong where there is none, persecution where there is none, etc. You have along the way offended me, calling me foreign, minimising my intellect, minimising my comprehensive ability. Gays may want some of those things you mention but primarily they want to stick their genitals in each others evacuating passages and be treated as regular citizens. They want to get married and have children, although large colons are not the breeding grounds for offspring. They get agitated when others indicate that their propositions are absurd. Just like you. Are you gay? How do you (or any gay man) intend to have offspring if no partner in the relationship has a womb? Adoption is not offspring, it is abusive, morally wrong and highly emotionally damaging to such damned children forced into such nightmare situations. Of course these are only my personal opinions, to which I have every right, and I have every right to voice them, just as gays have rights to force their ugly, offensive and sick so-called rights upon upstanding citizens of this world.

      • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

        Regarding the uneducated below, no sex is not what a realtionship is about. You are very childish if you belive that. Sex is only part of a relationship. As I said before you have a genital fixation and are not mature enough to understand human realtionships.

        Assuming you are an adult, which looks highly questionable, i just wish freud was still around so he could have a field day with you.

        This is a case of the lady doth protest too much. Your genital comments say far more bout you than anyone else.

  13. drw72 - 10 years ago

    As I said in my previous post…where does it end?

    “Florida man demands right to wed computer”

    Man sues for the right to marry his porn-laden Macbook, arguing that if gays are allowed to marry then so should other sexual minorities

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10814098/marriage-gay-marriage-mac-wedding-computer-Florida-Utah.html

    • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

      You embody what I mean about these comments being massively off topic – you seriously think comparing someone who wants to marry a macbook in an offbeat backpage story is comparable to equality of rights for our species? Ludicrous comparison. You will always find such offbeat requests, completely irrelevant to this story.

      • toleranceisnotjustice - 10 years ago

        How is what he said off-topic? Apple is encouraging people to support other people who live that sinful and out of control lifestyle.

        That’s NOT okay.

      • Dave Huntley - 10 years ago

        If the comment were limited to people I would agree, but the conversation he is having is about marriage to a laptop.

        You are trying to link all kinds of junk to a legitimate debate, in order to derail it.

        Well They put a man on the moon and childhood leukaemias are all curable. You havent brought those up but they are just as relevant by your measures.

        However some of those involved in both these endeavours are gay. Gays are people and the contribute to a better society. Half of on you on here maybe not as much, right?

      • vkd108 - 10 years ago

        Sorry to contradict but they did not put a man on the moon. That drama was a farce and has been widely proven from many angles.

        The problem with gays is, for men at least, they are out of control and insist on inserting their genitalia into the evacuating passages of other men. This is due to uncontrolled lust. Men can have harmonious, loving relationships without any need for sexual contact. This is called friendship.

  14. Lorri Carr - 10 years ago

    Under Jobs, apple made a large contribution to stop Prop 8 in California. It was one of the very first companies to offer domestic partner benefits. this is nothing new for Apple.

  15. Brian Annette Ellis - 10 years ago

    BONNIE AND CLYDE
    Most are familiar with how Bonnie and Clyde crisscrossed America, pillaging, and robbing banks. With every offense against the law they made things worse for themselves, until wanted posters with their face and names on them were all over the country. Finally, the law caught up with them, and there was a bloody shootout that resulted in their tragic deaths. Their demise was understandable. You cannot do what they did without serious repercussions.

    However, there seems to be a huge disconnect when that simple principle is applied to God and humanity. We crisscross this life violating God’s Law through lust, lying, theft, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and 101 other sins that are serious offenses against our Creator. Every time we sin we make it worse for ourselves. Our face and names are posted (see John 3:36) and His Law will one day catch up with us. There’s going to be a massive Shootout (see Romans 2: 5-10). But that’s not the end of the story. Bonnie and Clyde weren’t offered amnesty. In Christ, we are.

  16. heymuzzwatchadoin - 10 years ago

    So, it’s important for Apple to subsidize via profits and to promote that some of its employees are compelled to copulate into each others’ rectums?

    Ya, that’s important for a tech company and its customers to know.

    • Uhh no not at all. Apple just is saying they can go if they want to and encourage it as they believe everyone should have equal rights.

      These pride things are not exactly the same though. It’s not a problem though.

  17. Moto Queen - 10 years ago

    SO what about all the other special classed folks like Veterans, Susan G Komen, March of Dimes, MS, etc. It really doesn’t settle well with me because the CEO is gay that he gives special attention to one class of folks. All classes should be celebrated. I’m a vet at apple and only get the opportunity to get the day off for veterans day with no ramifications. I’m glad for the gays, but what about all the other special interest groups too?.

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.