Prior to acquiring QVegas in 2012, I lived in Silicon Valley and had an incredible career at Apple. During that time, I was also the co-chair of Apple Lambda (now Apple Pride), the company’s LGBTQ+ employee group for over seven years in addition to my “day job.” One of the reasons this “DEI and the Road Ahead” series is so important to me is because of my work at Apple. Ensuring parity of benefits for Apple’s gay & lesbian employees before same-gender marriage became legal, facilitating transgender benefits were a big part of that journey, but this week is the 14th anniversary of the Apple Employees “It Gets Better” video (and the 48th anniversary of Apple),  and marks one of my final contributions to the company. Apple instilled in me the core values that I continue to live by today and I’m proud to share this history as part of our DEI series.

Russ White, C0-Publisher, QVegas

On April 13, 2011, Apple released its contribution to the "It Gets Better" campaign—a heartfelt video featuring LGBTQ+ Apple employees sharing their personal journeys through bullying, self-doubt, isolation, and ultimately, self-acceptance. The video was more than just a corporate message of support; it was an emotional lifeline to LGBTQ+ youth struggling to see a future for themselves. It was also a culmination of decades of behind-the-scenes efforts by employees who had worked tirelessly to shape Apple into a beacon of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As we mark the 14th anniversary of this milestone, it's worth reflecting on not only the video itself, but the incredible legacy of Apple Lambda (now Apple Pride), Apple’s internal LGBTQ+ employee group, and how Apple quietly set the standard for corporate inclusion long before DEI became a household term.

The Origins of Apple Lambda

Apple Lambda was one of the first LGBTQ+ employee resource groups in corporate America. Formed in the early 1980s by queer Apple employees seeking support and community, Lambda gave voice to a marginalized group during a time when being out at work could mean risking your career. The group laid the groundwork for a corporate culture where authenticity and acceptance were encouraged, not punished.

By the 1990s, Lambda was advocating not only for visibility within Apple but also for systemic policy changes that would benefit LGBTQ+ employees across the board. Their efforts culminated in Apple becoming one of the very first major U.S. companies to offer domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples in 1993—a full decade before same-sex marriage was legalized anywhere in the country.

Leadership From Within

Much of Apple’s LGBTQ+ progress was driven from the inside. Employees who volunteered their time to lead Lambda brought relentless passion and quiet perseverance to a corporate culture that, while already progressive, needed structure to champion its diversity goals.

"Apple was one of the first companies to stand up for us, even before the world knew what LGBTQ+ really meant," Russ said. "Helping produce the 'It Gets Better' video was one of my final acts as co-chair. It was the result of years of work creating a space where we could be safe, be visible, and be proud."

A Broader Commitment to Inclusion

Apple's LGBTQ+ support was not in isolation. The company has long embraced a comprehensive view of diversity, including ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, and more. Apple has continually ranked high on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index since its inception and, earning perfect scores for its LGBTQ+ policies, partner benefits, and non-discrimination clauses.

But Apple's approach to inclusion goes even further. The company has invested in supplier diversity programs that ensure women-, minority-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses are part of its global supply chain. By using its enormous purchasing power to elevate underrepresented entrepreneurs, Apple has turned inclusion into a systemic, global business strategy.

Before DEI Had a Name

Today, we talk about DEI as a recognized field of corporate focus. But for companies like Apple, the work began long before the acronym. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Apple was already leading internal seminars on bias, creating inclusive hiring practices, and ensuring equitable access to professional development.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion were part of Apple’s DNA before there was a name for it," said Russ White. "We weren’t doing it for publicity. We were doing it because it was the right thing to do."

That legacy continues today through Apple Pride, the modern evolution of Apple Lambda. The group remains a cornerstone of Apple’s internal culture and continues to foster mentorship, advocacy, and community for LGBTQ+ employees across the globe.

The Enduring Impact of 'It Gets Better'

Through emotional, unscripted testimonies, Apple employees spoke of bullying, suicidal thoughts, coming out, and the indescribable freedom of finally living as their authentic selves. They reminded viewers that the cruelty of adolescence fades, that identity is not a weakness, and that joy, love, and community are possible.

One voice said, "If you're not around, you won't get to experience how much better it gets." Another shared, "Your uniqueness is your strength."

For countless LGBTQ+ people, especially those in rural or conservative communities, they saw someone like themselves thriving in a major company. It was proof that success didn’t require erasure.

A Legacy That Lives On

Fourteen years later, we still live in a world where LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged. Visibility matters more than ever. The work is far from done, but milestones like Apple’s It Gets Better video remind us how far we’ve come and how many people have quietly paved the way.

To every employee who spoke up, advocated for benefits, built community, or dared to live openly—thank you. Your work created ripples that continue to make life better for LGBTQ+ people inside and outside of Apple.

As we honor this anniversary, we do more than celebrate a video. We honor a culture of courage. A company willing to listen. A community that never gave up.

And for every young person still struggling to find their place in the world: know that there is hope, there is pride, and yes—it gets better.

Milestones in Apple’s LGBTQ+ Journey

• 1980s: Formation of Apple Lambda, one of the first LGBTQ+ employee groups in the tech industry

• 1993: Apple introduces domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples

• Early 2000s: Apple begins inclusive employee trainings and internal diversity programs

• 2011: Apple releases its It Gets Better video as part of the national campaign

• 2014: CEO Tim Cook comes out publicly, becoming the first openly gay Fortune 500 CEO

• Present Day: Apple Pride supports global LGBTQ+ employees and continues Apple’s inclusive legacy

View the video at
bit.ly/appleigb