Life is not always easy for some, as they have to fight society’s understanding of what is normal. By doing so, they tend to stand out from the crowd and face a string of problems that arise through judgments. A community that has faced a lot of the same is the LGBTQ+ community. From laws to individuals, everyone has come along the way to make their life a living hell. But there are some who have fought the odds and come out stronger than ever. So we decided to tell you more about their lives in a list that comprises the most successful LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs from around the world.
Tim Cook: The CEO of Apple
As a company, Apple does not need any introduction. The same goes out for its innovative CEO, Tim Cook. He is credited for giving Apple’s inventory and outgoing expenses an overhaul and for ensuring that it all goes according to plan. In the year 2014, he publicly came out as gay, and that made him the first gay person to be included in the Fortune 500 list.
Martine Rothblatt: The CEO of United Therapeutics
Regarded as the highest-earning CEO in the Biotech industry, Martine Rothblatt came out as a trans woman in 1994. Since then, she has been an influence for generations, and people always look up to her. Moreover, she is also a strong influencer for trans rights and lives with her partner Bina Aspen and four children in Florida.
Kalki Subramanium: India’s First Transgender Entrepreneur
The fight for respect and acceptance has been a long journey for Kalki Subramanium. Apart from being India’s first transgender entrepreneur, Kalki is also a famous author, poet, artist, and actress. As an individual of many talents, she has also been going out extensively to help other transgender people who have been ignored by their parents, sexually harassed, and have ended facing other harsh realities of life.
Alan Joyce: The CEO of Qantas Airlines
Alan Joyce has been an individual who has helped numerous positions before coming into the role of CEO at Qantas Airlines. He has been vocal about his sexuality and has been in a committed gay relationship for more than 20 years. Apart from that, he also became a Companion of the Order of Australia, the highest civil honour in 2017.
Hayley Sudbury: The Founder and CEO of WERKIN
Hayley Sudbury is an open lesbian who actively campaigns for the rights of her community and is also the head of a company that aims to improve diversity in job acquisitions among various companies through behavioural science. Before being the Founder and CEO of WERKIN, she was the top executive at Barclays.
Peter Thiel: The Co-Founder and Former CEO of PayPal
Peter Thiel was the CEO of PayPal until it was sold to eBay in October 2002. His innovative work at the company has always been held with high regard, and people always remember him as a philanthropist. As an openly gay man, he has come forward to support a number of LBGT+ causes and continues to do so. Moreover, he was also a guest speaker at 2010’s HomoCon.
Joel Simkhai: The Founder and Former CEO of Grindr
A dating app for straight individuals was only capable of catering to the needs of a particular section of people. But what about gay men? Well, to get things going, Joel Simkhai launched Grindr in 2008 and has been a strong advocate for LGBT rights. Before the app’s acquisition by Chinese company Kunlun, it was extensively used to raise proceeds for the community’s causes and rights.
Inga Beale: The CEO of Lloyd’s of London
The first female CEO of Llyod’s of London and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire are a few of the titles held by Inga Beale. She is openly bisexual and has been at the creating end of different friendly policies and structures at Llyod’s of London for the LBGT+ community. Thanks to her efforts, there is even an internal LGBT resource group for Lloyd’s employees.
Hence, that was the list of the most successful LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs from around the world. We hope you get inspired to achieve more.
Leave a Reply