David Furnish reflects on fatherhood as he accepts Gamechanger Award at Attitude Awards 2026
Furnish said everything he and husband Elton John do is to create a better world for their two sons
By Aaron Sugg
David Furnish was honoured with the Gamechanger Award, supported by M&S, at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2026, in partnership with M&S and electrified by Polestar.
The chair of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) was recognised at the 15th edition of the Attitude Awards, which took place at The Roundhouse in London on 7 October.
Highlighting his remarkable career spanning film and business, as well as his role in the fight to end HIV/AIDS transmission by 2030, EJAF CEO Anne Aslett welcomed Furnish to the stage.
With his Attitude Award in hand, Furnish takes the moment to reflect on his coming out journey.
David Furnish speaks after accepting the Gamechanger Award
“Back in 1983, I tried to come out to my mother, someone I loved my whole life, but she didn’t reject me. She was worried for me. She worried I’d never find a job, never fall in love. I went back in the closet.”
“AIDS didn’t help either. We lost so many friends. We saw so many die isolated deaths, abandoned by their families, their workplaces, turned away from hospitals. You can’t turn away from that as a gay man. That’s why EJAF has been a defining presence in my life, and I’m proud to say we’ve raised over $660 million (£497.64 million).”
“The great news is that treatment is prevention,” he said, but the greatest hurdle in overcoming it is “politics”.
“We can’t afford to let political oppression roll back our progress” – Furnish on ending HIV/AIDS transmission
“We can’t afford to let political oppression roll back our progress. I want to acknowledge my colleagues at EJAF, who do a wonderful job, and I’m especially grateful for my 33-year loving partnership with Elton.”
He said everything he and John do is to create a better world for their two sons. “If we’re remembered for anything… it’ll be for being great fathers.”
The Gamechanger Award comes after fashion mogul Donatella Versace took home the Icon Award at the Attitude Awards 2026.
Other awards at the event include the Film Award, the Comedy Award, the Ally Award and more, celebrating a wide range of LGBTQ+ people and their allies who are making a difference in their industries.
The Attitude Awards 2026 issue is available on digital platforms and in print. Print copy available for pre-order here.