Elton John Impact Awards 2026

The Awards

About the
Elton John
Impact Awards

The Elton John Impact Awards, presented by iHeartRadio and P&G, celebrate the individuals who have shattered barriers, redefined possibilities, and uplifted the LGBTQ+ community through their support and influence.

The program honors those whose lifelong work has inspired change and shaped culture, while also giving back to LGBTQ+ organizations that uplift the communities they serve.

Elton John

2026
Honorees

Partner
Nonprofits

2026 Honorees

This Year's
Honorees

The 2026 Elton John Impact Awards honor a group of legends and trailblazers whose work has shaped culture, advanced equality, and driven positive change for the LGBTQ+ community.

Jonathan Bailey

Film, television and stage actor who launched The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ charities.

Laverne Cox

Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer who has elevated transgender visibility in mainstream media and remains a powerful voice for equality and inclusion.

Melissa Etheridge

Grammy and Oscar-winning musician who has used her platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights for decades through personal storytelling within her music and cultural advocacy.

Billie Jean King

Sports Icon and award-winning humanitarian who has spent her life advocating for gender and LGBTQ+ equality in and out of sports.

Orville Peck

Trailblazing country performer who uses his artistic persona to blend traditional country aesthetics with queer themes and uses his platforms to create visibility and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Chappell Roan

Pop icon who advocates for LGBTQ+ rights with her unapologetic artistry and founding of The Midwest Princess Project to support trans youth.

The Podcast

Behind the
Scenes &
Stories

Hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, the Elton John Impact Awards podcast features candid, intimate conversations with Elton John, David Furnish, and this year’s six honorees.

Listeners are invited behind the scenes to hear the stories, challenges, and defining moments that shaped each honoree’s journey - told in their own words.

To mark the launch of the inaugural podcast, Dove Cameron delivers a special performance of "Your Song" in tribute to Elton John's legacy.

Listen Now

Hosted By

Billy Porter

Tony, Grammy, Emmy & Drama Desk Award–winning artist

Elvis Duran

iHeartRadio host & broadcaster

★ Special Performance

Dove Cameron

Performs "Your Song" — in tribute to Elton John's legacy

Watch Dove Cameron's Performance

Community Impact

Supporting
Those Who
Do the Work

In partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Looking Out Foundation, the program provides grants and visibility to six nonprofit organizations working across advocacy, health, and community support.

Together, these organizations provide lasting support where it's needed most.

CenterLink

Supporting and strengthening LGBTQ+ community centers nationwide

GLAAD

Accelerating LGBTQ+ acceptance through media representation and advocacy

National Black Justice Collective

Ending racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ+/SGL bias and stigma

Outright International

Advocating for the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people globally

SAGE

Empowering and advocating for LGBTQ+ older adults

The Trevor Project

Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people

Advisory Board

The
Guiding
Voices

A panel of inspirational leaders works closely with Elton John to help guide the program and select each year’s honorees. Members include:

David Furnish

Chair, Elton John AIDS Foundation & CEO, Rocket Entertainment

Billy Porter

Tony, Grammy, Emmy, and Drama Desk Award–winning artist

Brandi Carlile

Grammy- and Emmy-winning musician

Anne Aslett

CEO, Elton John AIDS Foundation

Brent Miller

Founding Producer, P&G

John Sykes

Founding Producer, iHeartMedia

Our History

From Can't Cancel Pride
to Impact Awards

2020

Can't Cancel Pride is Born

P&G and iHeartRadio created Can't Cancel Pride to address the pandemic's disproportionate impact on marginalized communities — preserving LGBTQ+ visibility and fundraising amid widespread Pride cancellations across the country.

2020–2024

Five Years of Impact

Can't Cancel Pride preserved visibility and connection through an annual hour-long benefit show featuring performances by prominent LGBTQ+ and ally artists. Over five years, the program raised more than $17M for LGBTQ+ organizations.

2022

The Award is Introduced

The Elton John Impact Award was first introduced in 2022 at “Can’t Cancel Pride” where Elton John was its inaugural recipient in recognition of his decades-long advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and the fight to end AIDS. Since then, the award has honored trailblazers with past recipients including Elton John, Brandi Carlile and Billy Porter, evolving into the Elton John Impact Awards inspired by Elton’s legacy.

2026

A Standalone Program

The Elton John Impact Awards now stands as an independent program — honoring six extraordinary honorees in its inaugural standalone year, with a dedicated podcast, nonprofit partnerships, and a growing advisory board guiding every decision.

$17M+

Raised for LGBTQ+ orgs

Years of Can't Cancel Pride

Previous Honorees

Elton John
Brandi Carlile
Billy Porter

Partners & Sponsors

The Elton John Impact Awards is presented by iHeartRadio and P&G in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation. A special thanks to our partners who continue to support LGBTQ+ organizations working in our community every day.

About the Elton John Impact Awards

This Year'sHonorees