The recent death of transgender woman Johana “Pretti” Medina Leon has sparked outrage among Apple employees. Internal Slack logs shared with The Intercept reveal that many workers are livid over CEO Tim Cook’s decision to attend a movie screening just hours after the news of Pretti’s death broke.
The movie in question, “Melania,” is a documentary about the life of First Lady Melania Trump. Cook’s attendance at the screening, which was hosted by Ivanka Trump, has caused a stir among Apple employees who feel that it was insensitive and tone-deaf to attend such an event while the company remains silent on Pretti’s death.
The fact that Cook was seen mingling with the Trump family, who have been widely criticized for their anti-LGBTQ+ policies, has only added fuel to the fire. Many employees feel that this goes against the values and principles that Apple stands for, particularly their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The internal Slack logs show employees expressing their disappointment and anger towards Cook and the company’s leadership. One employee wrote, “I cannot believe that our CEO would attend a screening of a movie about the Trumps while we are still grappling with the death of one of our own. It’s a slap in the face to the LGBTQ+ community and it’s a slap in the face to Pretti’s memory.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, with many questioning why the company has remained silent on Pretti’s death. The lack of a statement or acknowledgment from Apple has only added to the frustration and disappointment felt by employees.
Pretti’s death has once again highlighted the dangers faced by transgender individuals, particularly trans women of color. Her death is a tragic reminder of the ongoing violence and discrimination that the LGBTQ+ community faces on a daily basis.
In light of this, many employees are calling on Apple to take a stand and speak out against the injustices faced by the transgender community. They believe that as a company with a large platform and influence, Apple has a responsibility to use its voice to advocate for marginalized communities.
The fact that Cook chose to attend a movie screening instead of addressing the issue at hand has only added to the growing divide between the company’s leadership and its employees. It has also raised questions about the company’s commitment to its values and whether they are just empty words or truly ingrained in the company’s culture.
Some employees have taken matters into their own hands, organizing an internal petition calling on Cook to publicly condemn Pretti’s death and take a stand against the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The petition has gained a significant number of signatures and has been submitted to the company’s leadership.
In response to the backlash, an Apple spokesperson stated that Cook’s attendance at the movie screening was not meant to be a political statement and that he remains deeply committed to the LGBTQ+ community. However, this explanation has done little to appease the employees who feel that the company’s actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than words.
As a company that prides itself on its progressive values and commitment to diversity, Apple must do better. Its employees are its greatest asset, and their voices should be heard and respected. It is time for the company to take a stand and use its platform to advocate for marginalized communities and speak out against injustice.
In the words of one employee, “We are not just a company, we are a community. And as a community, we must stand together and fight for what is right. Pretti’s death should not be in vain. We owe it to her and to all those who have lost their lives to senseless violence to use our voices and demand change.”
