As with other minority issues, I'd imagine he's speaking out on it because he feels that: - The population he speaks for is a minority: they aren't yet well re

As with other minority issues, I'd imagine he's speaking out on it because he feels that: - The population he speaks for is a minority: they aren't yet well represented within the group - Those who are in the group may feel uncomfortable speaking out about it, particularly because they're a minority - The issue is important enough to that minority that it may lead them to leave or not join (and so continue to be underrepresented), and the group and the minority are important enough to him that he thinks it's worth addressing. The "long rant" serves to bring attention to the significance of the issue, as does the fact that someone so well known is taking the time to make it.