In reply to Stefan Lalev.

Hi Stefan,

Thanks for commenting on Shari's great post. I'd like to address your question about why someone like Tim Cook should profess to be proud to be gay. I can't know exactly why Tim uses the term proud, but I know why I use that term when I talk to colleagues and friends about my being gay. It's because I don't feel shame - none at all - in being who I am and not being shy about it. I think pride is the opposite to shame in this respect.

There was a time I felt ashamed about my feelings (when I was a teenager especially) - but now I'm out AND proud because I don't feel that shame for something that is an integral part of me. I'm also very privileged to work for a company such as Cisco where this pride is celebrated on a daily basis.

Peter