Things got really awkward during a CNBC segment on
Squawk on the Street when New York Times columnist
Jim Stewart was discussing his book on closeted
executives, The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out Is Good
for Business.
Stewart spoke to the panel about John Browne, the
former CEO of BP, before explaining that he had
reached out to several gay CEOs at major companies
who all politely declined to go on record for his book.
And that's when things took a sharp right down
uncomfortable street.
Simon Hobbs, the co-host of the program, interjected
with, "I think Tim Cook is fairly open about the fact that
he is gay at the head of Apple, isn't he?"
Everyone in the panel became silent and began staring
at one another, hoping someone would chime in with
some sort of an answer.
"Oh dear, was that an error?" Hobbs added.
Stewart refused to confirm or deny Cook's sexuality,
saying, "I don't want to comment on anybody who
might or might not be. I'm not going to out anybody,
and I called a lot of people, and no one at any major
company would allow their names to be used."
To be fair, Cook has never publically addressed the
subject matter, but he did speak about discrimination
last year during an appearance at Auburn University.
"Since these early days, I have seen and have
experienced many types of discrimination and all of
them were rooted in the fear of people that were
different than the majority," he told the crowd.
Cook also topped Out magazine's list of the most
influential gays and lesbians in America back in 2012,
and has appeared on the list multiple times.
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