Apple adds gay couples to emoji icons for iPhones and iPads in iOS6

Apple has continued to associate itself with LGBT people with the introduction of same-sex couple related icons or emojis for the next version of its iPhone and iPad operating system, iOS 6.

The company’s chief executive, Tim Cook, is considered the most powerful gay man in business, despite never publicly confirming his sexuality to reporters.

The new emojis or icons which are often used in texting and emails feature two same-sex couples, one gay and the other lesbian, for the first time.

The couples appear next to hetrosexual couples with children in the list of emojis released by Apple. Some expect that by the release of the next version of the operating system, the gay couples will also have children.