Kathy Hilton Withdraws as West Hollywood Pride Grand Marshal

Kathy Hilton will no longer serve as the grand marshal of the West Hollywood Pride Parade after facing significant criticism from segments of the LGBTQ community. The decision was announced jointly on Wednesday by the City of West Hollywood, the WeHo Pride production team, and Hilton herself.

The reality television star and socialite had been selected for the ceremonial role, which honors individuals for advancing LGBTQ visibility. However, her selection prompted immediate backlash, with critics citing her social ties to former President Donald Trump and an allegation that she used a homophobic slur during a 2022 filming of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," which she has denied. The Indigenous Pride LA organization withdrew from the parade in protest, stating the choice did not align with the values and lived experiences they seek to uplift.

In a statement, Hilton said she was honored to have been considered and that her intent was to celebrate and support the community. She expressed respect for the conversations that had taken place and reaffirmed her commitment to LGBTQ causes, listing her support for organizations including the Elton John AIDS Foundation and GLAAD....