It surprised absolutely no one when Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook, in the quiet way that suits him, recently confirmed he’s gay. It’s great that it is no big deal that the CEO of one of America’s most successful corporations makes such a statement. And, being from Texas, I have to add that he’s a Southerner, too.

The late Steve Jobs set Cook up to be his successor. Interesting choice because Cook isn’t an “ideas guy” like Jobs, but an operations manager. Cook cited Jobs’ advice to “be yourself” as CEO as part of the reason for his announcement. I think the news is more important for LGBT people than to the rest of us. But it doesn’t mean I am not happy for Tim, Apple and the universe, generally. Of course, the leader of one of America’s most-successful corporations is gay. Any questions?

It is interesting that only a few years after Steve and Apple’s board were roundly criticized for covering up Jobs’ illness that his successor comes out and it’s nothing special. Jobs’ secrecy replaced by a bit of personal openness at Apple. Not what I’d imagined.

It’s even more interesting that Jobs, whom I consider at least a borderline sociopath and generally nasty person, chose Cook. For all his other failings, betting on Tim wasn’t one of them.

Which makes me wonder: How many tech CEOs would we have but for discrimination against LGBT people? Could Tim Cook be CEO anyplace but Apple? How serious is discrimination — for any reason — at the top of tech companies, where people all tend to look and act alike?

My hope is Tim Cook’s success will make it “OK” for conservative boards to hire the best choice, regardless of color, gender, nationality or sexual orientation. Maybe next we will get a tech CEO that’s blind or in a wheelchair or who is a disabled vet?

The other thing notable about Steve’s picking Tim is that Tim, as expected, is by far the nicer person. Steve’s famous wall of secrecy has come down a bit and Apple today seems less run by top-down intimidation than during Jobs reign.

Cook’s announcement is probably more important to Apple suppliers than customers. Homophobic Asian companies that work for Apple may learn something from Cook’s business success that might open their eyes to the notion that LGBT individuals, along with women and minorities are just folks doing their best. Heck, there are lots of Americans who, sadly, still need to learn that, too.

So, thank you, Tim Cook. Mostly for being a good CEO and a decent person, but also, perhaps especially, for being yourself.

photo credit: deerkoski via photopin cc