Celebrating the 2026 Rainbow Honours

On Thursday 11 June, we welcomed guests to the London Hilton on Park Lane for the Rainbow Honours 2026, coming together to celebrate the individuals, organisations and initiatives making a lasting impact on LGBTQIA+ communities across the UK and beyond.

From inspiring activists and community champions to household names, charities and businesses leading the way on inclusion, this year's winners represent the very best of what our community can achieve when people are empowered to be visible, authentic and proud.

Honouring a Lifetime of Impact

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was presenting our Lifetime Achievement Award to Dawn Airey CBE.

Throughout an extraordinary career spanning more than 30 years, Dawn has been a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation. As one of the most influential figures in British media, she has broken barriers, challenged expectations and paved the way for future generations.

Her commitment to championing inclusion and representation has never wavered, making her a truly deserving recipient of this year's honour.

Celebrating Voices in the Spotlight

This year's Celebrity LGBTQIA+ Champion of the Year award went to Bradley Riches.

Known and loved for his roles in Heartstopper and Emmerdale, Bradley has become an important voice for both LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. Through his advocacy, openness and authenticity, he continues to inspire countless people.

We were also delighted to recognise EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal as our Celebrity Ally of the Year. Through her portrayal of Suki Panesar and her support for LGBTQIA+ storytelling on mainstream television, Balvinder has helped bring important conversations into living rooms across the country.

Meanwhile, Nathan Henry received our Media Moment of the Year award for the deeply moving documentary Geordie Stories: Nathan & Dad. The powerful programme explored family, love and loss with remarkable honesty, touching audiences nationwide.

We were proud to celebrate:

• Vanessa Varvas (University of East London), Inspirational Role Model of the Year

• CurvyBlackWitch (Janae Owyn), Campaigner or Influencer of the Year

• Trans is Human, Community Initiative of the Year

• Terrence Higgins Trust, Charity of the Year

• Matt Foster (Ogilvy UK), LGBTQIA+ Changemaker of the Year

• Fly With Pride (Manchester Airports Group), Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Network of the Year

• Stonewall's Proud Employers Programme, Global LGBTQIA+ Initiative of the Year

• Ocado, Large Brand or Organisation of the Year

Each winner represents the dedication, courage and commitment that drives progress for LGBTQIA+ people every day.

A Night to Remember

Hosted by the brilliant Stephen Bailey, the evening brought together an incredible mix of community leaders, activists, corporate partners, celebrities and allies.

Guests including Denise Welch, Paul Sinha, Tom Read Wilson and Sinitta joined us to celebrate the achievements of our winners, while performances from Matt Terry and disco legends Boney M helped make the night truly unforgettable.

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Kat Parsons, CEO of Diversity Umbrella, said: “In times like these, it can be easy to focus on the challenges facing our community. The Rainbow Honours chooses to focus on the people creating real change. Visibility saves lives. Representation matters. And celebrating those who are breaking barriers, challenging prejudice and lifting others up has never been more important. These awards are about recognising excellence, but they are also about sending a message to every LGBTQIA+ person watching: you belong, you matter, and there is a community standing proudly beside you.”

Congratulations to every one of our Rainbow Heroes, Sheroes and Queeroes. We can't wait to see what you achieve next.

View the full list of Rainbow Honours 2026 winners below.

INSPIRATIONAL ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Vanessa Varvas (University of East London)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Paul Stanley (Anglo American & De Beers Group)

CAMPAIGNER OR INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (sponsored by CORECRUITMENT)

WINNER:

CurvyBlackWitch (Janae Owyn)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Hallie Clarke

OUTSTANDING LGBTQIA+ NETWORK OF THE YEAR (sponsored by MYGWORK)

WINNER:

Fly With Pride (MAG (Manchester Airports Group))

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Wipro Europe Pride ERG (Wipro)

OUTSTANDING LGBTQIA+ NETWORK OF THE YEAR (UTILITIES)

WINNER:

LGBTQ+ at Sky (Sky UK Ltd)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Pride @ E.ON (E.ON)

OUTSTANDING LGBTQIA+ NETWORK OF THE YEAR (FINANCE)

WINNER:

LGBTQ+ AT TSB (TSB)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Bend the Bank (Starling)

OUTSTANDING LGBTQIA+ NETWORK OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

PROUD (Shoosmiths LLP)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Pride Network (Clyde & Co)

CORPORATE LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Tolu Osinubi (Deloitte UK)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Nick Johnson (Virgin Atlantic)

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR (sponsored by CENTRICA)

WINNER:

Trans is Human

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Trans+ Solidarity Alliance

 

HEAD OF BELONGING, CULTURE OR DIVERSITY (sponsored by SKY)

WINNER:

Claire Semple (Informa)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Alicia McDonnell (MAG (Manchester Airports Group))

CORPORATE ALLY OF THE YEAR (sponsored by DEUTSCHE BANK)

WINNER:

Jane Cubbin (TransPennine Express)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Mark Given (Sainsbury’s)

OUTSTANDING LGBTQIA+ NETWORK LEAD OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Trenton Tomlinson (Universal Music Group UK)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Harry Levey & Kayleigh Glover (Siemens Mobility UK&I)

GLOBAL LGBTQIA+ INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR (sponsored by GSK)

WINNER:

Proud Employers Programme (Stonewall)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Outsummit 2025 (Outright International)

LARGE BRAND OR ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Ocado 

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Sky UK Ltd

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Terrence Higgins Trust

LGBTQIA+ CHANGEMAKER OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Matt Foster (Ogilvy UK)

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Lauren Thompson (Virgin Media O2)

CELEBRITY ALLY OF THE YEAR (sponsored by PARAMOUNT)

WINNER:

Balvinder Sopal

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Kate Nash

MEDIA MOMENT OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Geordie Stories: Nathan & Dad

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Coronation Street – Same-sex domestic abuse storyline

CELEBRITY LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

WINNER:

Bradley Riches

HIGHLY COMMENDED:

Rosie Jones

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

WINNER: Dawn Airey CBE