LIST OF TOP GAYS IN US RELEASED

Apple’s acting CEO Tim Cook has topped Out magazine’s annual list of the most influential gays and lesbians in America.

Cook, described as the “most powerful gay man in Silicon Valley”, is currently the head of operations for the company but is also running Apple during CEO Steve Jobs’ sick leave, which is currently for an indefinite period.

Many expect him to officially take over Jobs’ position at some point.

“While it is Jobs’ prescience that has kept the Cupertino, Calif., company at the cutting edge of technology, it’s Cook who made sure Apple could deliver as demand rocketed,” said Out.

This is Cook’s first appearance on the five-year old “Power 50” list and sees him move last year’s number one, talk show host Ellen Degeneres, into second place.

CNN journalist Anderson Cooper, who, like Cook, has never publicly confirmed that he is gay, took the third spot.

The top five was rounded off by television host and political commentator Rachel Maddow at number four and openly gay congressman Barney Frank at five.

Other notable figures on the list include fashion designers Marc Jacobs (12) and Tom Ford (15), actor Neil Patrick Harris, philanthropist David Geffen (19), gossip blogger Perez Hilton (20), financial adviser Suze Orman (25) and singer Adam Lambert (43).