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BUSINESS
Satya Nadella

Nadella, Branson applaud Cook's gay disclosure

Matthew Diebel
USA TODAY
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Social media users were quick to react to an essay by Apple CEO Tim Cook in which he confirmed longstanding rumors that he's gay.

Among the tweets, which were mostly supportive, was one from Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing. Read: Apple CEO Tim Cook: I'm proud to be gay.

OK, so probably not a great surprise that Schiller was in his boss's corner, but others in the corporate realm also had good things to say.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said he was inspired.

Venture capitalist John Doerr said this was the definition of leadership.

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson—followers 4.6 million—called him inspirational.

According to Spredfast, there have been more than 150,000 mentions on Twitter of Tim Cook in the past 24 hours, or more than 13 times the daily average. The top content was put out by media outlets, but also by Branson and actor/entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher.

Portland, Ore., blogger and computer expert Scott Hanselman said he was pleased about Wall Street's reaction:

Meanwhile, Anil Dash, a writer and entrepreneur, suggested that Apple should tweak its logo, if only for a short time:

And a user with the Twitter handle @SouthernHomo, who describes himself as a gay medical student, applauded Cook for the message his move sends to young people struggling with their sexuality:

Another gay-rights activist, Chad Griffin of the Human Rights Campaign, a prominent organization promoting LBGT equality, tweeted along the same lines:

Although the majority of tweets were supportive, several conservatives, such as columnist Ben Shapiro, had a different take:

And Robert Wade, a self-described singer, musician, actor and Christian conservative, disagreed with Cook's assertion that being gay is "among the greatest gifts God has given me":

Many tweeters found humor in the announcement, including Los Angeles entertainment professional Alexander Goldschmidt:

GuyCodes, the Twitter handle of TheOnlineManCave.com, took a shot at the rivalry between Apple and electronics giant Samsung:

True to the spirit of his employer, Buzzfeed.com Senior Editor Matt Bellassai used a celebrity name to tickle the funny bone:

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