Steve Jobs and his affect on the gay community

Wednesday the world lost a creative visionary, a leader, and a great businessman. Apple Inc. Co-founder Steve Jobs, 56, lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. He brought the world what they all craved for: easy to use technology with user friendly designs and a modern flair. That’s not only where it stops though. Steve Jobs leave behind an amazing legacy as a  huge supporter of the gay community.

In 2008, Apple Inc. was at the forefront fighting for Gay Rights making a donation of $100,000 to fight the anti-gay Proposition 8 that was heavily publicized and battled in California proposing the banning of gay marriage.

Apple was also an early adopter of LGBT-friendly hiring practices and scored a perfect 100 in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for offering their employees LGBT-protections, domestic partner benefits, and diversity training—also setting a strong example for other large corporations.

And most recently, as Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO back in August, he hand picked his successor, Tim Cook, as the most powerful gay businessman in the world to run the Apple empire.

For me personally, being able to witness the progression of the changing computer technology whether it be a Windows or Mac, not only saw Steve Jobs as that man in the ugly black turtle neck and blue jeans, but I saw a man that changed the world… quite literally.

Apple products were synonymous with gays. Owning an Apple product was like owning up to being a rebel, a leader in a trend, something the gay community as you know probably fight day and night for. No longer are we stuck inside this corporate square box. We’re able to live our life simplistically thanks to his technology.

Steve, you literally brought out the creative side and inspired millions in this world. You will forever live in our history book as the innovator of our century.

Steve Jobs | 1955-2011