Elton John Impact Awards Expand to Honor LGBTQ+ Advocates and Allies
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iHeartMedia and P&G are expanding the Elton John Impact Awards into a new program honoring influential LGBTQ+ community members and allies. The awards will launch as a podcast series and audio special on June 1, aiming to drive awareness and funding for frontline LGBTQ+ organizations. The inaugural honorees include Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck, and Chappell Roan.
Facts First
- The Elton John Impact Awards program launches June 1 as a podcast series and audio special on iHeartRadio PRIDE stations.
- The inaugural honorees include Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck, and Chappell Roan.
- The program aims to drive awareness and funding for frontline LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
- Funds will be granted to organizations including CenterLink, GLAAD, and The Trevor Project through a partnership with Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation.
- The awards special will be hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran, featuring conversations with Elton John and the honorees.
What Happened
iHeartMedia and P&G are expanding the Elton John Impact Awards into a broader program. The new program will launch on June 1 as a podcast series on the iHeartRadio app and major podcast platforms, and as an audio special on iHeartRadio PRIDE stations. The first group of honorees for the expanded awards has been announced. The awards special will be hosted by Billy Porter and Elvis Duran and will feature conversations with Elton John, Elton John AIDS Foundation chair David Furnish, and the honorees. Recording artist Dove Cameron will perform 'Your Song' during the show.
Why this Matters to You
If you support LGBTQ+ causes, this program may direct more funding and visibility to organizations providing critical services. The partnership with Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation means grants will go to established groups like The Trevor Project and GLAAD, which work on issues from mental health to media representation. The expanded format as a widely accessible podcast and radio special could make stories of advocacy and community support more visible to a broader audience.
What's Next
The awards special and podcast series will premiere on June 1. Following the launch, the program may continue to highlight new advocates annually, as an advisory council including David Furnish, Billy Porter, and Brandi Carlile will select future honorees. The funds raised through the initiative are likely to be distributed to the partner organizations to support their ongoing work.