LONDON — It’s a landmark moment for both the gay community and the business world. Tim Cook is now the first and only openly gay chief executive in the Fortune 500.
Tim Cook is now the first and only openly gay chief executive in the Fortune 500.
Of course, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered employees still struggle with discrimination at work. The executive suite also remains extremely closeted, but there are a few high-ranking openly gay businesspeople.
1. Christopher Bailey, CEO at Burberry
The British luxury brand installed Bailey as CEO late last year after former chief executive Angela Ahrendts left the company for a job at Appl.
Bailey has been working at Burberry since 2001, leading the fashion house’s product design, creative marketing and digital innovation. In that time, Burberry has transformed into a fashion powerhouse with a strong social media presence.
2. Nick Denton, founder and publisher of Gawker Media Group
Denton founded the Gawker media empire in 2002.
Over the past 12 years he’s built it into an influential outlet that boasts tens of million of readers who clamor for the latest gossip and news.
When Denton married Derrence Washington this summer, his wedding was covered in a big feature in the New York Times.
When CNNMoney asked Gawker to confirm that Denton was gay, Gawker editor-in-chief Max Read replied, “If Nick’s not gay, his husband will be very surprised to find out.”
3. Robert Greenblatt, chairman at NBC Entertainment
Greenblatt joined NBCUniversal in January 2011 and now oversees primetime and late night programming for the network
In his previous roles at other networks, he’s been credited for the success of major hit TV series including “Weeds,” “Dexter” and “Six Feet Under.”
Greenblatt has also won many awards for his work, including recognition from GLAAD, an industry group that supports the LGBT community.
4. John Browne, former CEO of BP
Browne led oil giant B from 1995 until 2007. He resigned after a British newspaper group outed him as a gay man.
“I wish I had been braver to come out earlier during my tenure as CEO of BP. I regret it to this day,” he said.
He has since written a book called The Glass Closet to encourage other closeted, gay individuals to come forward and “bring their whole selves to work.”
But he warns that this will only happen when corporate leaders create an environment where people feel comfortable about coming out.
