Tim Cook shares message of hope with LGBTQ+ youth at Loveloud 2018 – Info Mac

As expected, Tim Cook was in attendance at the 2018 Loveloud festival yesterday. Loveloud is dedicated to “ignite the vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love, understand, accept, and support LGBTQ+ youth in our communities.”

Cook took the stage right before Imagine Dragons, offering brief words of advice to those in attendance before introducing the band…

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Cook took the stage to tell those in attendance that they are “a gift to the world.” He went on to say that there’s no need to struggle to be “what someone else thinks is normal” and pointed out that normal just might be the worst word ever created:

“I stand before you tonight as an uncle, a sports nut, a CEO, a lover of the beautiful Utah outdoors, and a proud, gay American. I come to deliver a simple message that I want every LGBT person to here and to believe.”

“You are a gift to the world,” Cook said. “A unique and special gift, just the way you are. Your life matters. … My heart breaks when I see kids struggling to conform to a society or a family that doesn’t accept them. Struggling to be what someone else thinks is normal. Find your truth, speak your truth, live your truth.”

“Let me tell you,” Cook continued. “‘Normal’ just might be the worst word ever created. We are not all supposed to be the same, feel the same, or think the same. And there is nothing wrong with you.”

“I know that life can be dark and heavy, and sometimes might seem unreasonable and unbearable, but just as night turns to day, know that darkness is always followed by light. You will feel more comfortable in our own skin, attitudes will change. Life will get better and you will thrive.”

While not on stage, pictures shared on Twitter show Cook mingling with festival attendees, snapping pictures and signing iPads.

Tim Cook has been a vocal champion of LGBTQ+ during his tenure as Apple CEO. He has regularly participated in Pride Parades in San Francisco, while also being a vocal opponent towards legislation that allows for discrimination.

Watch Tim Cook’s full remarks below:

Top image via Desert News Utah

Thanks @LOVELOUDFest @ImagineDragons @DanReynolds for hosting such an uplifting event tonight, and for supporting LGBT youth and families. Young people, you are loved and you are powerful. #LoveLoud pic.twitter.com/qoHEE1pv5H

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 29, 2018

So I met Tim Cook. He came to #LOVELOUD to speak to LGBTQ youth and galvanize his allyship for the cause. We need more folks to make plain their commitment to inclusion. pic.twitter.com/9fj9Aj9aoD

— Blair Imani (@BlairImani) July 29, 2018

The highlight of #LOVELOUD was meeting @Tim_Cook. I was so nervous, I fumbled over my words and ended up just stopping so we could get a picture. Wish I could have gotten a hug… 😉 But I’m grateful to Tim and what he represents for my community. Thank you, Tim! pic.twitter.com/93YywC321T

— Peter Moosman (@petermoosman) July 29, 2018

#LOVELOUD Tim Cook @Apple @ATT pic.twitter.com/w4hNEeD6rq

— Michael Nicewander (@MikeNicewander) July 29, 2018

.@tim_cook is in the building, well the packed excited stadium #LoveLoud pic.twitter.com/biNFENTYST

— Fred Karger (@fredkarger) July 29, 2018

Met Apple CEO Tim Cook tonight at the the Love Loud Music Festival. Couldn’t have been any nicer! pic.twitter.com/fuNInjUQ4o

— C (@SLCink) July 29, 2018

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