The inaugural Elton John Impact Awards officially launched on June 1, celebrating LGBTQ+ trailblazers whose work has helped shape culture, expand visibility, and inspire future generations.
Hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, the new awards initiative honors six LGBTQ+ icons: Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck, and Chappell Roan. The ceremony debuted as a podcast special on the iHeartRadio app and aired across iHeartRadio PRIDE stations as part of Pride Month programming.
But beyond the awards themselves, the conversations between the honorees and hosts offered a powerful reflection on what impact really means.
Protecting Queer Joy in Uncertain Times
For Chappell Roan, resilience begins with remembering the generations of LGBTQ+ people who came before her.
“When I am lost and feel hopeless, I look to the people that came before me and know that what they gave up is worth fighting for,” Roan shared. “Joy and freedom should be protected at all costs.”
The pop star added that choosing love remains one of the most important acts of resistance.
“Prioritizing love and protecting love is what will keep you sane in such uncertain times.”
Jonathan Bailey on Turning Fame Into Impact
Jonathan Bailey reflected on how his meteoric rise following Bridgerton changed his understanding of fame and influence.
“You realize that fame is a sort of currency … and then it’s about how you spend it,” Bailey said.
The actor, who recently launched The Shameless Fund to support LGBTQ+ organizations, credited his success to embracing his authentic self.
“The foundation of any success that I receive is based on the bet that I took to be myself.”
Laverne Cox Reflects on the Responsibility of Visibility
While fame brought opportunities, Laverne Cox said it also came with immense responsibility.
As one of the first trans people to achieve mainstream success at her level, Cox reflected on the pressure she felt early in her career and the personal growth it took to realize that her platform could be used to serve others.
“I needed to understand that it was about being of service and that was bigger than me.”
Melissa Etheridge on the Legacy of Living Out Loud
Melissa Etheridge spoke candidly about the legacy she hopes to leave behind as one of music’s most influential out artists.
“I was a lesbian in rock and roll that made it okay to like gay music,” Etheridge said.
She expressed hope that her success helped prove LGBTQ+ artists could thrive in mainstream spaces while encouraging others to live openly.
“Hopefully it helped people not be afraid to be who they are.”
Billie Jean King Says Young LGBTQ+ People Are the Future
Tennis legend Billie Jean King focused on the next generation. He spoke about how honored he felt to receive this award, and how he’s always looking to “the young people” to see what he can do to support.
“They are the future for our community.”
Orville Peck on Music, Healing, and Representation
Country star Orville Peck also reflected on the healing power of representation through music.
“Sometimes what it means to them is even more important than what the song means to me,” Peck said of hearing fans connect with his work.
He added that being a source of comfort and inspiration for queer listeners remains one of the most meaningful parts of his career.
How the Elton John Impact Awards Give Back
The Elton John Impact Awards were created by iHeartMedia and Procter & Gamble in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation. In addition to honoring LGBTQ+ changemakers, the initiative will provide funding and visibility to organizations including GLAAD, The Trevor Project, SAGE, CenterLink, National Black Justice Coalition, and Outright International.
The special also features a performance of Elton John’s classic “Your Song” by Dove Cameron, paying tribute to the music icon whose decades of advocacy inspired the awards.
In a statement announcing the program, Elton John emphasized the power of storytelling to connect people and create change.
Judging by the conversations shared during the inaugural ceremony, this year’s honorees have certainly done both.
