Tim Cook: ‘I’m Proud to Be Gay’

NEW YORK (AP) -- Apple CEO Tim Cook says he's proud to be gay.

In an essay written for Bloomberg Businessweek, Cook says that while he never denied his sexuality, he never publicly acknowledged it, either. Cook says that for years he's been open with many people about his sexual orientation and that plenty of his Apple colleagues know he is gay.

Cook wrote in the column published Thursday that it wasn't an easy choice to publicly disclose that he is gay but felt that his declaration could potentially help others.

The executive said he will continue to focus on being the best CEO he can be and will personally continue to advocate for equality for all people.

(© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)