Paris Hilton Issues Apology For Homophobic Remarks

Paris Hilton is apologizing for the derogatory remarks she made earlier this month regarding "most" gay men. Radaronline released audio of the hotel heiress referring to gay men who visit Grindr (an all-male location-based social network) as "disgusting" people who, "probably have AIDS."

The socialite released a statement on Thursday to GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) in which she took full responsibility for her homophobic comments.

"I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families," Hilton, 31 said in the statement . "Gay people are the strongest and most inspiring people I know."

"It is the last thing that I would ever want to do and I cannot put into words how much I wish I could take back every word," she explained. "HIV/AIDS can hurt anyone, gay and straight, men and women. It's something I take very seriously and should not have been thrown around in conversation...It is so wrong when people bully or put down others for being gay. No one should have to go through that. Again, I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart and I feel absolutely horrible. I hope that everyone can accept my apology and know that it is not who I am or how I feel in any way."

The conversation was recorded by a taxi driver during New York Fashion Week who claimed, "I couldn't believe what was coming out of Paris' mouth and the way she was talking about gay men."

"Gay guys are the horniest people in the world," Hilton told her male friend, who also happens to be gay, during the taxi ride. "I would be so scared if I was a gay guy...you'll, like, die of AIDS."

In an earlier statement, Hilton's rep wrote, "The cab driver who recorded this, only provided a portion of the conversation. It was not her intent to make any derogatory comments about all gays. Paris Hilton is a huge supporter of the gay community and would never purposefully make any negative statements about anyone's sexual orientation."