Apple's Tim Cook just publicly announced he's gay. That's extremely rare among business leaders.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook publicly stated he is gay in an editorial published by Bloomberg Businessweek Thursday. While Cook has been open about his sexuality in his private life, and numerous outlets have alluded to or outright commented on his orientation, this is the first time he has addressed it directly in public. And according to Businessweek editor Josh Tyrangiel, he consulted with his board before approaching the publication with his statement.