Paris Hilton Apologizes: 'Gay People Are the Strongest'

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Paris Hilton issued an apology Thursday after audio of her making derogatory comments about gay people was posted online.

In the recording, Hilton is heard saying gay people are "disgusting" and "most of them probably have AIDS."

"Gay people are the strongest and most inspiring people I know," the socialite said in an apology to GLAAD Thursday. "It is so wrong when people bully or put down others for being gay. No one should have to go through that."

"As anyone close to me knows, I always have been and always will be a huge supporter of the gay community. I am so sorry and so upset that I caused pain to my gay friends, fans and their families with the comments heard this morning," Hilton said. "I was having this private conversation with a friend of mine who is gay and our conversation was in no way towards the entire gay community. 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."

"HIV/AIDS can hurt anyone, gay and straight, men and women," she said. "It's something I take very seriously and should not have been thrown around in conversation."

While riding in a New York City cab last week, Hilton and an openly gay friend were talking about a smartphone app Grindr, which allows gay men to meet and hook up.

"Ew, ew," Hilton says on the recording when told about Grindr. "Gay guys are the horniest people in the world," she continues. "They're disgusting. Dude, most of them probably have AIDS … I would be so scared if I was a gay guy. You'll like, die of AIDS."

The cab driver recorded the conversation, which RadarOnline obtained and posted Thursday.