safety
Hilton Grand Vacations Fires Worker Who Allegedly DMed Racist Slur to Chelsea Gray
By Samantha Allen at them.
· July 16, 2026
· 4 min read
The Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare company announced earlier this week that an employee who allegedly sent a racial slur to WNBA player Chelsea Gray on social media had been fired, as the Associated Press confirmed Wednesday.“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with th
Key takeaway ”Gray, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, had posted the racist message on Instagram Stories on July 13, the day after her team’s 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever.
Why this matters
The swift firing of the Hilton Grand Vacations employee who allegedly sent a racist slur to Chelsea Gray highlights the growing recognition of the need for accountability in addressing hate speech, particularly in the context of sports. As a high-profile, openly gay athlete, Gray's experience underscores the intersecting forms of discrimination that many LGBTQ+ individuals of color face. The incident also points to the ongoing issue of racist harassment of Black athletes, with Gray noting that she is not alone in receiving such messages. The response from the Las Vegas Aces and Hilton Grand Vacations demonstrates a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment, both online and offline. As the National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations continue to advocate for greater protections and support for marginalized communities, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of collective action in addressing systemic racism and promoting equality.
About this story
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Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: them. ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare company announced earlier this week that an employee who allegedly sent a racial slur to WNBA player Chelsea Gray on social media had been fired, as the Associated Press confirmed Wednesday.“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with th
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by them. and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samantha Allen at them.. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .