Media icon, DJ, and long-time LGBTQIA+ ally Paris Hilton celebrated Pride Month in dazzling fashion on June 6, raising an Absolut Sliving Cosmo to honor the LGBTQIA+ community backstage at the WorldPride Music Festival in the nation’s capital.
The moment marked more than a symbolic toast — it was part of Hilton’s ongoing collaboration with Absolut Vodka, an alliance rooted in visibility, inclusion, and advocacy. Together, Hilton and Absolut kicked off the next chapter in their partnership with a shared mission: to raise awareness and critical funding for Rainbow Railroad, a global nonprofit organization that helps LGBTQIA+ individuals escape violence and persecution.
Backstage after her electrifying performance, Hilton beamed with gratitude and purpose, Absolut Sliving Cosmo in hand, as she announced a $50,000 donation from Absolut to Rainbow Railroad, jumpstarting the “Dance to Donate” campaign launched by her nonprofit, 11:11 Media Impact.
“Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is more important now than ever,” Hilton said. “That’s why this Pride, I’ve teamed up with my friends at Absolut, who share my values as an ally to the community, to raise an Absolut Sliving Cosmo in support.”
A Celebration With Purpose
The WorldPride Music Festival in Washington, D.C., served as the perfect backdrop for this vibrant celebration. The annual event draws tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe, uniting diverse voices and identities through music, advocacy, and community.
Hilton’s presence added star power and authenticity. A steadfast supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights, she used her platform not just for entertainment, but to highlight urgent issues affecting queer communities worldwide — particularly those facing systemic oppression, violence, and displacement.
The launch of “Dance to Donate” embodies this intersection of entertainment and activism. The initiative calls on Hilton’s fans and allies to post dance videos on social media set to tracks from her latest project, Infinite Icon: The Remixes. For every video posted, Hilton’s nonprofit will contribute toward Rainbow Railroad’s life-saving efforts. The campaign is a digital-age call to action — celebratory, accessible, and impactful.
Continuing a Legacy of Advocacy
Hilton’s work with Absolut began earlier this year at Coachella, where she unveiled her remix album at the Absolut House of Cosmo. That event served as a prelude to her expanded Pride Month campaign and further cemented her role not only as a cultural tastemaker but as an engaged philanthropist.
Absolut Vodka, meanwhile, has a long-standing history of LGBTQIA+ advocacy. For more than four decades, the brand has consistently championed inclusion, visibility, and equality through its marketing, partnerships, and philanthropy.
Spotlight on Rainbow Railroad
Founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad is a non-profit organization that offers emergency relocation, crisis support, and direct financial aid to LGBTQIA+ individuals facing imminent danger in hostile environments. In the face of rising anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment and policy across parts of the world, their work has never been more critical.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Hilton, Absolut, and countless digital participants in the “Dance to Donate” campaign, the initiative aims to both raise awareness and generate funds that directly support Rainbow Railroad’s mission.
In 2024 alone, Rainbow Railroad assisted over 5,000 people through emergency response programs and resettlement initiatives. With the support of corporate partners and public figures like Hilton, the organization is expanding its reach and amplifying its message: that everyone deserves to live with safety and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love.
More Than a Moment
For many at WorldPride in D.C., Hilton’s appearance wasn’t just a celebrity cameo — it was a meaningful gesture of allyship during a pivotal moment for LGBTQIA+ rights in America and abroad. As legislative and cultural battles continue, visibility and support from high-profile allies can have a profound impact.
“Seeing Paris not only perform but also advocate for a cause that matters deeply to us was incredibly powerful,” said one attendee. “It’s more than just a party. It’s a movement.”
As Pride celebrations continue throughout June, Absolut and Paris Hilton are encouraging everyone to raise a glass — and a voice — in support of love, equity, and freedom.
From the Absolut House of Cosmo to the nation’s capital, the message is clear: Pride is a time for joy, but also for action. And with every Absolut Sliving Cosmo raised, the hope is that those actions ripple outward — toward a world where everyone can live proudly and safely.
