Apple, Inc. CEO Tim Cook shook the world when he comes out as gay last Oct. 30, via a Bloomberg Businessweek article that he penned, with the goal of trading his privacy for a push for homosexual civil rights.

"Throughout my professional life, I've tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don't seek to draw attention to myself," Cook wrote.

He furthered, "I'm proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me."

Timothy "Tim" Donald Cook was named as Apple CEO in October of 2011, following founder and predecessor Steve Jobs' death.

According to one of the most powerful men in the technology realm, his colleagues within the organization already know he is gay. However, he never denied his sexuality or acknowledged it publicly until the Businessweek article.

Cook also said that his sexual preference did not change the way he was treated within the company, and that he is "fortunate" to be working for Apple, an establishment which he says strongly advocates human rights and equality.

While the coming out news surprised many, others saw this as just a confirmatory statement to what most people within the circle had known for quite a while.

In fact, last June, CNBC anchor Simon Hobbs accidentally revealed Cook's sexuality.

"I think Tim Cook is fairly open about the fact that he's gay at the head of Apple isn't he?" asked Hobbs to a columnist.

Apple's top man knows that everyone will not appreciate his choice, but he hopes that people will continue to respect his work, which he says brings him so much joy.

Cook ended his article stating, "We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick."