Apple CEO Tim Cook has made a
“substantial” donation to help fund a gay rights campaign in his
home state of Alabama and two other Southern states.
The Human Rights Campaign's (HRC)
Project One America seeks to increase rights for LGBT communities in
Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.
“When Tim first learned about HRC's
Project One America – our bold, comprehensive campaign to
dramatically advance equality for LGBT Americans in Alabama, Arkansas
and Mississippi – he said, 'I'm in,'” HRC said in an email to
supporters. “Thanks to his generous personal financial investment
in the program, together we will move the needle forward at the local
and state level, tearing down misperceptions and providing concrete
protections for those who need it most.”
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet told
the AP that Cook was donating his own money.
“It's a personal donation from Tim,”
she said.
After ignoring rumors about his
sexuality for years, Cook announced he was gay in October, making him
the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
In a speech before his induction into
the Alabama Academy of Honor, which honors the accomplishments of
living Alabamans, Cook said that Alabama was moving too slowly on
LGBT rights.