The Inescapable Paris; Paris Hilton has transfixed the nation, to the point where she made $7 million last year, hears paparazzi cameras clicking even when they're not there, and has Camille Paglia weighing in on her cultural significance.(Brief Article)

Byline: Krista Smith

Gay Pride weekend in Los Angeles is under way, and a massive crowd has gathered to celebrate all things gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. Early on Sunday morning, a sun-soaked Santa Monica Boulevard is already teeming with revelers, and police are barking orders into their bullhorns. Everyone's waiting for the start of this year's parade, which will be led by co-grand marshals Paris Hilton and her mother, Kathy.

At 11 a.m., 24-year-old Paris arrives in her dark-green custom-built Ferrari. She's dressed in (for her) a demure yellow-gold beaded gown with an Empire waist and escorted by Tinkerbell, her Chihuahua and constant companion, who is attired in fuchsia satin. Kathy looks pristine in white trousers, a white hat, and white Chanel wraparound sunglasses and carries a pink parasol. As Paris's father, Rick, records everything with his camcorder, mother and daughter are hoisted 10 feet up onto a bright-pink float shaped like a Volkswagen Beetle, and the parade begins. At the sight of the Hilton women, the crowd goes crazy.

"Hi, sexy!" one drag queen yells at Paris. "You're gorgeous! I love you!"

"Thanks, bitch!," Paris shouts in return, to the delight of all.

Two twentysomething lesbians look on in disbelief. "I had no idea Paris Hilton was gay," says one, to which the other responds, "I know, that's so cool."

As millions around the world can attest with the confidence of an eyewitness, Paris Hilton is not gay. But she's canny enough to be cultivating a gay fan base-which, as Cher and Madonna have shown, can extend one's career indefinitely.