Gay Leaders Urge Paris Hilton to Apologize  2/6/07

Gay rights leaders in Los Angeles are calling on Paris Hilton to explain herself after making a series of anti-gay and racial slurs in a video that began circulating in cyberspace last week (ends02FEB07).

The video, which appears to have been taken by an amateur videographer at a private party, shows Hilton referring to someone using the derogatory term "faggot" and describes herself and sister Nicky as "n**gas".

And the leaders of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) are outraged by the footage.

They're calling for Hilton make a public apology before the video gets wider play.

GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano says, "When Paris Hilton utters these words into a camera, it creates a permanent record that... she must bear responsibility for.

"These are not frivolous words, and to use them as if they are gives tacit sanction to the racism and homophobia they engender. Hilton has an obligation

to go on the record, explain herself, and publicly apologize to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) and African American communities and all those offended by these slurs."