Elton John Honors LGBTQ+ Trailblazers

The inaugural Elton John Impact Awards have been established to honor outstanding LGBTQ+ community members and their allies. Co-created by iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble, and hosted by Billy Porter and iHeartRadio's Elvis Duran, the special aims to shine a light on those who have significantly shaped LGBTQ+ culture and advanced equality.

The event will include candid discussions with Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, who chairs the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This year's honorees include actor Jonathan Bailey, advocate Laverne Cox, musician Melissa Etheridge, sports icon Billie Jean King, country artist Orville Peck, and singer Chappell Roan. Dove Cameron is set to perform John's classic "Your Song."

Launched in 2022, the Elton John Impact Award initially debuted at "Can't Cancel Pride," a virtual benefit concert. Elton John himself was the first recipient, recognizing his decades of advocacy. The award has since honored figures like Brandi Carlile and Billy Porter, evolving into this podcast awards ceremony.

Proceeds and donations from the awards will benefit numerous LGBTQ+ organizations. These include the Elton John AIDS Foundation, CenterLink, GLAAD, the National Black Justice Collective, Outright International, SAGE, and The Trevor Project. These groups focus on critical areas such as elder care, health services, and mental health support for young people.

David Furnish emphasized the awards' role in spotlighting organizations that protect LGBTQ+ communities and advance health equity globally. He noted the urgency of supporting frontline organizations, especially as LGBTQ+ rights and health equity face ongoing threats. The Elton John AIDS Foundation has a long history of support, having provided over 55 grants and invested more than $23 million across 47 countries since 2020.