Apple CEO Tim Cook Needs A Boyfriend, Who Should It Be?

Apple CEO Tim Cook Needs A Boyfriend, Who Should It Be?

In his big coming out announcement last week, which made him the first openly gay CEO on the Fortune 500 list, Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t mention anything about having a partner. We suspect he does. But he also asked the media to respect his privacy. Fair enough. It’s just that it’s hard to believe that such a smart, thoughtful, and attractive gentleman wouldn’t already be hitched. Which got us to thinking about playing fantasy matchmaker. Just in case the near-half billionaire is single and ready to mingle, we thought we’d compile a list of potential suitors for the charming, 53-year-old tech powerhouse to consider.

Here are six great guys we think Tim Cook should date and potentially marry.

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Anderson Cooper

Talk about a gay power couple. Not to mention, boyfriend twins. Between Cook’s $400 million and Anderson’s $100 million (plus whatever inheritance he gets from the famed but dwindling Vanderbilt fortune), these two strapping silver foxes could be the Beyonce and Jay-Z of queerdom. (Yes we know Anderson already has a BF.)

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Don Lemon

Speaking of sexy CNN anchormen, Don Lemon would be another great catch for Mr. Cook. The two already have a lot — okay, maybe a little — in common. Both are Southern boys (Cook is from Alabama, Lemon from Louisiana) who like to stay on the cutting edge of things (Cook with technology, Lemon with current events). That at least merits meeting for a cocktail or two. And gay men do interracial marriage better than anyone.

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Andy Cohen

In case Mr. Cook is looking for someone a little less, well, journalistic than either Anderson or Don, Andy Cohen would be a fun boyfriend. Like, really fun. The Bravo exec, who is currently in the running for Top Dog Over 40 in the 2014 Queerties, doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. And he’s cute to boot! The only conflict may be in the bedroom, since Andy’s allegedly a total top. But we’re sure they could find a way to work that out.

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Jon Stryker

Billionaire Jon Stryker’s personal life is definitely complicated: Though he was married and has two children, he came out as gay after his divorce. Currently, he’s tri-coastal (sort of), with homes in Kalamazoo,  Palm Beach and New York (in the ritzy Time Warner Building, no less). We haven’t dug up any reports of a significant other, which is great news for Cook, assuming he’s doesn’t mind dealing with a little baggage.

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Harry Louis

Now that he and fashion designed Marc Jacobs had called it quits, adult model Harry Louis is back on the market. The brown-eyed beauty would make a sweet piece of eye candy at all those swanky tech conferences, assuming Cook is cool with playing Daddy to a porn star.

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Peter Thiel

If Mr. Cook is looking to pair up with another successful businessman, venture capitalist Peter Thiel would make an excellent candidate. Thiel’s pros: He’s cute. He’s driven. He’s hella rich. (He’s orth an estimated $2.2 billion.) Thiel’s cons: Sometimes he says strange things and backs antigay candidates. Oh, and he donated to Meg Whitman’s campaign. But, hey, nobody’s perfect. (Yes, we know Peter already has a BF.)

Related stories:

Apple CEO Tim Cook Says “I’m Proud To Be Gay”

8 Mega-Wealthy Gays: Who Are They, How’d They Make Bank, And Are They Single?

Five Gay Celebrity Power Couples We Wish Were Together For Valentine’s Day

Graham Gremore

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CNN Looks at America's Closeted Workforce and the Need for Nationwide ENDA – VIDEO

CNN Looks at America's Closeted Workforce and the Need for Nationwide ENDA – VIDEO

Enda

A sobering reminder that in 29 states, it’s still legal for private companies to discriminate against LGBT people. 

Included in the segment are interviews with Todd Sears, the founder of Out Leadership; Christie Smith, an openly gay high ranking executive at a consultant firm; and a closeted man who chose to not give his name or show his face. 

According to a recent Human Rights Campaign study, 53% of LGBT workers in America are closeted at work. 

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP


Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/11/cnn-looks-at-americas-closeted-workforce-and-the-need-for-nationwide-enda-video.html

What I've Learned Since Coming Out

What I've Learned Since Coming Out
Looking back on my life since coming out a year ago only makes me wish I’d had the strength to come out sooner. It was the final step on the journey to self-acceptance, and I’m glad I can say now that I truly love myself. I’ve grown so much as a person over the past year, and I hope that sharing my experience will encourage others to follow their own path. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and life has been good to me. I perform for the greatest company in the world, WWE, and I’m happily in love with my partner, Nicki. He makes me smile, supports me in everything I do and keeps me grounded.

People who are struggling with coming out often ask me for advice, and, in my opinion, the best first step you can take is coming out to those who are closest to you. The most painful experience was hiding my true self from those I loved. I can honestly say that coming out to my inner circle was the best thing I’ve ever done. I was incredibly fortunate and received nothing but support from them, and my mom is my biggest fan. She’s always wearing a Yankees hat with a pin that says “I love my gay son.” While not everyone had the same reaction, I’ve come to grips with that reality. It’s OK, because I’m living my life, and that is an amazing feeling.

I don’t expect everyone to embrace equality overnight, but we are making great progress. Coming out has instilled in me a sense of confidence that I’ve never felt before, and I’m happy to have full control over my life without fear of disapproval. I don’t need people in my life to bring me down. Working with various organizations like the GLAAD, NOH8, and Athlete Ally and being involved with NYC Pride and LA Pride has opened my eyes to just how far we’ve come. I’m very honored to have met so many influential people, and I’m inspired by the widespread support for the LGBT community

I feared being alienated when deciding to come out, but instead I felt welcomed. The overwhelming support from WWE, my fellow WWE Superstars and Divas, and my fans has been fantastic. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world and use WWE’s massive social-media reach to tell my story and connect with my fans. This positive outpouring has eclipsed any negativity, and I only wish I had known that earlier.

Two days after my announcement, I was in Los Angeles for SummerSlam, one of our biggest events of the year, and a fan approached me at CVS. He asked if I was Darren Young, and I could tell he was a huge wrestling fan. He told me he had seen the news about me and admired my courage. He said hearing my story helped him come out to his family. He was emotional and started crying. I knew what those tears were about. We connected and got a photo together. It’s moments like this that make me realize I can help create a positive change in the world. Since coming out, I’ve been committed to WWE’s anti-bullying campaign, Be a STAR, as a motivational speaker to kids across the nation. Bullying happens on all levels, and it’s important to me that we put a stop to this negative trend and reverse its damaging effects. When bullying is given a place in our schools, workplaces, or anywhere else, everyone loses. I always try to make myself available and approachable so kids feel they have someone to turn to in times of need. My message is this: Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and don’t let fear stand in the way of your true happiness.

Living your life truthfully is such a great feeling, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If I could go back in time, I would tell myself this: You have more support than you think you do. Being true to yourself is key to reaching your personal potential.

www.huffingtonpost.com/gay-voices/?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Last Chance To Vote In The 2014 Queerties

Last Chance To Vote In The 2014 Queerties

james-franco-gay-kiss-2013

Is Hillary Clinton the “Badass of the Year” for gearing up for the most pro-gay presidential run in history? Or does the crown belong to Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who shot down the right-wing legal establishment’s last chance to block marriage equality?

What was the best “Closet Door Bustdown“? Michael Sam, Ellen Page or Ian Thorpe?

Who is your favorite “Hetero Heartthrob“? Harry Styles, James Franco or Zac Efron?

Now’s your chance to decide! Cast your vote in the 2014 Queerties, where we honor the best (and occasionally worst) in politics, entertainment, sports, viral videos, eye candy and more. And all the winners are chosen by you, Queerty readers!

VOTING IS EASY: Just head over to the main ballot page and click on your favorite nominee.  Don’t delay, though!  Voting ends TONIGHT at midnight Eastern Time.

Chris Bull

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Five Reasons HIV Positive Guys May Live As Long As Negative Guys

Five Reasons HIV Positive Guys May Live As Long As Negative Guys

Not so long ago, it was pure fantasy to imagine that someone with HIV could live to a ripe old age. But today that’s exactly what researchers are beginning to suggest. At least one credible study makes the case that people with the virus can live as long — and in some cases longer — than their HIV negative counterparts.

The study took a look at nearly 23,000 people with HIV who were taking the medication, in the U.S. and Canada, spanning 2000 to 2007. It found that, among certain subgroups, estimated life span was equal or greater than the general population.

The devil is in the details, of course. The same social and economic barriers that affect most every other aspect of life also affects the longevity of people with HIV.

But we’re taking this as a very, very good sign, so let’s keep up the good work boys, and let’s keep looking for ways we can get similar results for all poz folks rather than just the most fortunate among us.

Here are five reasons HIV positive guys are living longer…

1. The sooner you know, the better.

You can’t do a damn thing about your HIV if you don’t know you have it. Those who get tested regularly and identify their HIV infection early on are in a much better position to address it successfully.

Speaking of which…

2. Early treatment is the biggest factor in living a normal life span.

The study found that the group who did best started HIV treatment before their t-cells fell below 350. This t-cell number has become a common marker for when to begin taking medications, but not everyone strictly follows it. The men studied who did start treatment with higher t-cells have a life expectancy of 75 years overall, which is equal to the national average for men.

Gay men who started treatment early got two bonus years, with an average life expectancy of 77 years. That’s over the national average for men.

3. Guys living with HIV are receptive to preventative health measures.

Whether is it nutrition, exercise, or taking an aspirin each day to prevent a heart attack or stroke, men living with HIV have more skin in the game. But they aren’t coming up with these ideas all by themselves. They are more likely to know about them because…

4. Gay men living with HIV have a better connection to health care.

Something or another is going to kill us all eventually, but guys with HIV are often more closely monitored than the rest of us. Consistent visits to the doctor as we age means regular blood screenings and physical examinations. Other conditions are more likely to be identified and addressed earlier than among the population at large.

5. Sadly, social and economic realities play a large role in longevity.

Increased life span for people with HIV suffers from the same barriers as does treatment and prevention: lopsided outcomes between the haves and the have-nots. While relatively privileged gay men enjoy better access to health care and treatment, those living in poverty or who are disenfranchised by racism and homophobia do not fare as well.

In fact, successful outcomes for people with HIV have a much to do with social issues — stigma, poverty, shame, isolation — as it does with early treatment. One stifles the other.

There is a quantity vs. quality argument to be made. While treatment side effects have been minimized in recent years, people with HIV have the burden of the sheer expense of health care and treatment, not to mention the social stigma that continues to plague gay men. That’s why guys with HIV have become so vocal about fighting prejudice and educating others. Fighting back is good for your health.

The bottom line: if you are sexually active and at risk, get tested every few months. Reduce your exposure through safer sex and new prevention techniques like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Should you test positive, do everything you can to take advantage of treatments that can mean a long and engaged life ahead.

Related Posts:

Ten Things Positive Guys Want Negative Guys To Know

Get Ready for Ten Things HIV Negative Guys Really Need Positive Guys To Hear

Mark

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