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Hilton Worldwide Celebrates Pride Month

HLT | June 11, 2015

Hilton to march at two of the nation's largest Pride festivals: Capital Pride, NYC Pride

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) reaffirms its support for the LGBT community by participating in two of the nation’s largest Pride festivals. This weekend, Hilton Team Members, friends and family will march in Washington, D.C.’s Capital Pride as the Ruby Presenting Sponsor. Following the festivities in D.C., the team will continue onto the Big Apple to participate in NYC Pride as a Gold Sponsor the weekend of June 26.

This month’s activities underscore Hilton’s ongoing commitment to the LGBT community, advocating for inclusion and equality through its policies, practices and sponsorships.

“Since our founding more than 95 years ago, our hotels have strived to be open and welcoming gathering places for all people,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. “As we continue to champion equality both inside and outside of our company, Pride celebrations serve as reminders of the importance of inclusion and tolerance every day.”

Collaborating with Pride

Beyond Pride sponsorships, Hilton supports many LGBT organizations, including Human Rights Campaign, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, National LGBTQ Task Force and Out & Equal Workplace Advocate.

Earlier this year, Hilton became the first and only hospitality company to join the Global Equality Fund, an initiative of the U.S. State Department that advances and protects the human rights of LGBT persons around the world. Additionally, as the presenting sponsor of the GLAAD Media Awards, Hilton supports GLAAD’s mission to recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community.

Additionally, Hilton works with several business coalitions supporting Federal and State equality efforts, including:

Joining the HRC Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
Participating in the HRC Equality Is Our Business pledge against anti-LGBT legislation
Filing a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court, setting out the business case for marriage equality
Publicly opposing proposed anti-LGBT legislation in Texas, Arizona and Indiana

Spotlighting Modern Manners with Journalist Steven Petrow

Last month, to spotlight the do’s and don’ts of modern manners, Hilton announced its sponsorship of Steven Petrow, an award-winning journalist, author and LGBT etiquette expert. Petrow will serve as both an advisor and advocate for the company on inclusive marketing and outreach efforts throughout the year, highlighting his activity and the company’s continued evolution on Hilton.com/GoOut.

Promoting Diversity in the Workplace

Hilton Worldwide seeks to promote a fair, diverse and inclusive workplace. The company has received recognition for its efforts, having scored a perfect 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2014 and 2015 Corporate Equality Index for its LGBT-inclusion policies and practices.

For more information, visit Hilton.com/GoOut, CapitalPride.org, NYCPride.org.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,350 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 720,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.