Tim Cook Applauds US Supreme Court Ruling Protecting LGBTQ Workers

Apple CEO Tim Cook applauds this week’s US Supreme Court decision making it illegal for companies to discriminate based on someone’s sexual orientation.

In a 6-3 decision, the high court ruled that LGBTQ employees are protected under the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, extending federal protections to millions of workers in states where they were not previously protected from job discrimination.

Cook, who six years ago became the first Fortune 500 CEO to come out as gay, said in a tweet that he was “grateful” for the decision. “LGBTQ people deserve equal treatment in the workplace and throughout society, and today’s decision further underlines that federal law protects their right to fairness,” he said.

“I was incredibly grateful for the — for their opinion,” Cook tells correspondent John Dickerson in an interview airing this weekend on “CBS Sunday Morning.” “And I applaud the justices who stood up and did that. You know, to me, America is on a journey toward equality. And that is one more brick in the wall and a very important one.”

When asked about whether he brings up civil rights when speaking with President Donald Trump, Cook said “Of course I do.”

“I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect,” said Cook. It’s basically that simple. And that we start life on this equal footing and then the people that work hard can get ahead and those sorts of things. But we should start life on an equal footing. And I long for that day.”

During the CBS interview, Cook shares thoughts about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, how the iPhone has transformed many aspects of life, and the death of George Floyd, which was captured by cellphone video. The interview airs today on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

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