LGBTQ Chief Executive Officers of Business Enterprises

History was made in 2014 when Tim Cook, the Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc, publicly announced that he was gay. He is the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company to be LGBTQ. Tim Cook's global profile ensured that his announcement became news around the world, representing a major step forward in the both the visibility of the LGBTQ community and its fight for equality. His announcement filled a gap in

It is important to have prominent LGBTQ individuals in the business community. These individuals represent the public face of their corporations. As such, the CEOs represent the company's employees, many of whom also identify as LGBTQ - having an out CEO shows their inclusion in the organization. It shows that one's sexual preference is not a barrier to either promotion or the ability to successfully manage a business enterprise. The confidence for a CEO to be comfortable with his/her sexual preference reveals the honesty of the individual, thereby reflecting the values inherent in the company's culture. Public disclosure shows leadership by example, an important trait in motivating others within a company.

There are many more Chief Executive Officers of business companies around the world who identify as LGBTQ. These individuals come from Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, and the United States.