Kathy Hilton has pulled out of being the Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride event in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Hilton and the organization released a joint statement<\/a> Wednesday confirming that she will no longer be a part of Sunday\u2019s event after facing backlash over her alleged ties to\u00a0President Donald Trump and an incident in which she purportedly said a homophobic slur<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe City of West Hollywood has always believed that Pride belongs to the community. Since its earliest days, Pride has served as both a celebration and a platform for activism, visibility, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, dignity, and justice for LGBTQ+ people,\u201d the statement began.<\/p>\n Kathy Hilton has pulled out of being the Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride event following backlash from many members of the LGBTQ+ community.<\/p>\n Hilton and the the organization released a joint statement Wednesday confirming she will no longer be a part of Sunday\u2019s event. INSTAGRAM\/@wehopride<\/p>\n \u201cThe announcement of Kathy Hilton as Grand Marshal Icon for the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade has generated a range of perspectives across our community. In recent days, community members have shared thoughtful feedback regarding the role and significance of Pride honorees.\u201d<\/p>\n The organization said that it is \u201cgrateful for the respectful and sincere dialogue that has taken place\u201d and that they want to ensure they are honoring \u201cthe history, values, and diverse voices of the LGBTQ+ community.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter thoughtful discussions, the City of West Hollywood, the WeHo Pride production team, and Kathy Hilton have determined that the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade will not designate a Grand Marshal Icon honoree.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u201cReal Housewives of Beverly Hills\u201d star shared a separate statement in addition to WeHo Pride\u2019s.<\/p>\n The statement addressed \u201cthe respectful and sincere dialogue that has taken place\u201d since Hilton was announced to be a part of the event. Getty Images<\/p>\n All parties involved claimed that the decision to remove Hilton (pictured earlier this month) came after \u201cthoughtful discussions.\u201d Getty Images for Vulture<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to have been considered for this recognition and appreciative of the support I have received from members of the community throughout the years,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n \u201cMy reason for wanting to be involved in this year\u2019s WeHo Pride weekend was simple: to celebrate, support, and share in the joy of a community that means a great deal to so many people. Pride is, and always will be, about celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, experiences, and achievements.\u201d<\/p>\n Hilton said she \u201crespect[s] the thoughtful conversations that have taken place and remain[s] deeply committed to supporting LGBTQ+ causes and visibility.\u201d She also listed the many LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives she actively participates in.<\/p>\n \u201cThis monumentally important event has always had a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the experience I had acting as Grand Marshal of the LA Pride parade with my daughter in 2005. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make it happen, and I wish the community nothing but love, joy, and a fantastic WeHo Pride weekend,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n In her own statement, Hilton (pictured at the WeHo Pride parade in 2005) said she \u201crespect[s] the thoughtful conversations that have taken place.\u201d WireImage<\/p>\n The socialite also highlighted the many LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives she supports. WireImage<\/p>\n Following Hilton\u2019s announcement as the Grand Marshal Icon, many members of the community pointed out her associations to Trump. The Trump administration, notably, has enacted numerous policies limiting LGBTQ+ rights, focusing particularly on transgender individuals.<\/p>\n \u201cWtf she literally parties at mar-a-lago,\u201d one critic wrote on Instagram<\/a>. \u201cMAGA Kathy Hilton?? Have you all lost your MIND??\u201d another added.<\/p>\n \u201cApparently using gay slurs is all takes to become the grand marshal in the Weho pride parade,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n Although Hilton has never revealed whether she voted for Trump, she has been pictured socializing with him on several occasions.<\/p>\n After she was announced as the Grand Marshal Icon, many pointed out that she has socialized with Trump (pictured here in 2012) on several occasions. Neilson Barnard<\/p>\n Hilton has never revealed if she voted for Trump, but attended his 2022 Super Bowl party. Andrew H. Walker\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n In 2022, Hilton skipped filming the \u201cRHOBH\u201d Season 12 finale to attend Trump\u2019s Super Bowl party at his Mar-a-Lago residence.<\/p>\n Additionally, Hilton landed in hot water when her \u201cRHOBH\u201d co-star Erika Jayne accused her of calling a DJ an \u201cold f\u2013king f-g\u201d<\/a> during the ill-fated Aspen cast trip during Season 12.<\/p>\n Jayne made the accusation during the reunion \u2014 which aired in October 2022 \u2014 to which Hilton vehemently denied, saying she would \u201cnever, ever\u201d use that language.<\/p>\n \u201cAnybody that knows me knows I don\u2019t talk like that,\u201d the socialite added.<\/p>\n Additionally, Hilton was accused of using a gay slur during the ill-fated Aspen \u201cRHOBH\u201d cast trip during Season 12. Bravo<\/p>\n Her castmate Erika Jayne made the claim during the season reunion and Hilton heavily denied the accusation. Bravo<\/p>\n But that same month, a source close to the \u201cPretty Mess\u201d singer exclusively told Page Six that Jayne felt compelled to\u00a0call out Hilton<\/a> for allegedly spewing a homophobic slur\u00a0as the former is a fervent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cErika cares deeply for the LGBTQIA+ community. They have been by her side since the very beginning of her career, even before \u2018Housewives,\u2019\u201d the insider told us.<\/p>\n \u201cShe had no other choice but to say something and take a stand. She wanted to make a statement: No one on her cast is going to attack the LGBTQIA+ community and go unchecked.\u201d<\/p>\n Bravo launched an investigation into the matter, which turned up inconclusive because \u201cit was a case of she-said, she-said,\u201d per network exec Andy Cohen.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t