A rotten Apple: Tim Cook’s betrayal of LGBTQ+ rights

In his ruthless pursuit of power and profit, Tim Cook has made it abundantly clear this week: the human rights of LGBTQ+ people are negotiable, and our community is expendable.

Let’s call Tim Cook’s actions what they truly are: a brazen sellout of human rights for corporate gain. The CEO of Apple, once a beacon of hope for our community, has made his priorities crystal. As he stood there, applauding Trump’s inauguration, Cook wasn’t just prioritising profits – he was auctioning off our dignity to the highest bidder. This isn’t business as usual; it’s a grotesque betrayal, with LGBTQ+ lives as the bargaining chips.

As a gay man watching these events unfold, I find myself seething with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and disbelief. This isn’t just a misstep; it’s a betrayal of everything we’ve fought for. And it cuts deeper than I even thought possible.

A moment of intense optimism, shattered

I vividly remember Tim Cook’s coming out in 2014. As Apple’s CEO, hand-picked by Steve Jobs to take the reins, he instantly became the world’s most powerful openly gay man. It was a moment of intense pride for our community—one of us leading the most innovative companies on earth.

Cook’s announcement felt like a seismic shift, signalling our arrival at the pinnacle of the tech industry. For me, it was deeply personal. Apple isn’t just any company. It inspired me to pack in my soulless job, enter the creative industry, and start my own business. Apple has pushed me to be more creative and, in turn, provided me with a living. It has given me so much. And Cook’s openness seemed to embody everything I admire about Apple and further support my ideals: courage, innovation, and the desire to change the world.

Cook’s words when he came out were inspiring:

I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.

It was a bold, unapologetic statement that gave me hope. Cook didn’t just acknowledge his sexuality; he celebrated it as a source of strength and empathy.

For years, Cook used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, speaking out against discriminatory legislation and positioning Apple as a leader in workplace equality. He seemed to embody the promise that one could be openly gay and wildly successful, using that success to further the cause.

But yesterday, as I watched him applaud a president who threatens to undo all our progress, that optimism has turned to ash. The man who once inspired me has become a stark reminder of how easily principles can be compromised.

Tim Cook’s journey from being the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company to becoming a willing participant in Trump’s circus is nothing short of tragic. All in support of a man who yesterday proclaimed there are only two genders, that people are not even allowed the dignity of feeling comfortable in their own skin, and is hellbent on winding back progress to the Dark Ages.

The cognitive dissonance is staggering.

Corporate greed over human rights

And if that isn’t enough, Cook also donated one million dollars to support Trump’s inauguration.

Cook, along with other tech moguls like Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman (who is also openly gay), are playing a dangerous game of "pay to play". They’re betting that by cosying up to Trump, they can protect their bottom lines and gain favours.

But at what cost? The lives and dignity of countless LGBTQ+ individuals, especially vulnerable young people, are at stake.

The cost, I fear, is astronomically high. It’s not just about dollars and cents; it’s about the very soul of a company that once stood for innovation and progress. For the first time in my life, as an Apple enthusiast and advocate, I’m seriously grappling with a profound sense of disillusionment. I question whether Apple’s goals and its leader’s motivations have shifted so far from their original ethos that it’s becoming untenable for me to continue supporting them.

This is not a decision I take lightly. My love for Apple runs deep. It’s more than just a brand to me; it’s a part of my identity, a symbol of creativity and relentless innovation. But as I watch Tim Cook applaud a regime threatening the rights and dignity of people like me, I’m forced to confront an uncomfortable truth: perhaps the Apple I fell in love with no longer exists.

Walking away from Apple feels like contemplating the end of a long-term relationship. It sounds remarkably hyperbolic, but that is the depth of my adoration for Apple. By writing these words, I fear I add to the “beleaguered Apple is doomed” rhetoric so often bandied about. But if Apple’s leadership is willing to compromise on fundamental human rights, can I, in good conscience, continue to be part of that ecosystem? This question now haunts me, and I suspect I’m not alone.

What does Apple stand for?

Original artwork by Ryan Taylor

And that brings me to a crucial question: What does Apple stand for anymore? Once a symbol of innovation and progressive values, it now seems content to stand by as its leader endorses a regime that threatens the very existence of many of its employees and customers.

The rainbow logo and Pride Month platitudes ring hollow when the man at the helm is willing to stand and cheer with a room full of people who would erase us. This is not just disappointing; it’s dangerous. It sends a message that our rights and identities are negotiable if the price is right.

The long and winding road just got longer

Tim Cook’s actions at Trump’s inauguration are more than a personal failing; they’re a stark reminder of the fragility of our progress. As we watch corporate leaders "kiss the ring" of an administration hostile to our very existence, we must ask ourselves: At what point do we say enough is enough?

To Tim Cook and others like him, I say this: Your silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Your applause for those who would harm us is unforgivable. What good is it if you can’t use your power and privilege to protect the most vulnerable among us?

We deserve better, and we demand better. I will continue to fight, with or without the support of those who claim to be our allies. This fight isn’t just an American one. It’s a global struggle for equality and dignity that affects us all, regardless of where we call home.

I, we, our community, was betrayed this week. “Think different” indeed.