It was an iconic night at the 2026 Out100 gala, where the year's top LGBTQ+ changemakers, featured in Out's November/December issue, had gathered.
At the Los Angeles event Thursday, Lisa Kudrow introduced the Out100 Icon of the Year Andrew Scott by channeling her character from The Comeback, Valerie Cherish. “From one icon to another, congratulations, Adam Scott,” Kudrow quipped, fumbling his name as part of the gag.
Kudrow also praised Scott for "the performance of a lifetime" in Elsinore, in which his portrayal of the late gay actor Ian Charleson has received Oscar buzz. "Like Ian [Charleson], you know the power of art to sustain soul. And through telling his story, you’ve used your immense talents to shine a light on injustice while holding the light for the affirming power of the human spirit... Here and throughout your brilliant career, you’re giving the gifts of courage and pride to the next generation. I’m so proud to know you."
Lisa Kudrow at the Out100.Willa Cutolo
In his own moving speech, Scott praised Charleson, who staged the performance of a lifetime in Hamlet as he battled AIDS. "He was charming and beautifully alive and extraordinary resilient and this story is about, finding joy in the face of fear, which we still face today," Scott told the crowd at Sunset Room & Laya in Hollywood.
“There are just so many innumerable things that I love about being born gay, but my kinship with this ever strengthening community is chief among them,” he said.
Out and The Advocate magazines at the Out100.Willa Cutolo
The evening also honored Dolly Parton as Advocate of the Year, an award that was accepted by the late gay icon's sister, Stella. Introducing Stella and also honoring Dolly was Lily Tomlin.
“It feels so comforting to be surrounded by so many people, friends and fans who love and admire Dolly the way I do,” the 9 to 5 star told the audience," adding, “She was radically authentic. She could connect with anyone. And the only thing bigger than her hair was her legendary heart."
“There was room in there in that heart for all of us, from one poor family in East Tennessee to a queer kid in East L.A.,” Tomlin said.
Andrew Scott at the Out100Willa Cutolo
In her own remarks, Stella also addressed Dolly's profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community. "I know that Dolly loved every one of you,” Stella said of her sister, who passed this year at age 80.
“She saw a little bit of herself in each one of you, and that’s why I think she was such an advocate for the LGBTQ community because she understood how she felt and how you felt,” she said.
“If you want to think about her, always stay optimistic and hopeful because that was one of her greatest gifts,” she said.
The ceremony was hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race star Ginger Minj and Out100 alum Miss Bouvèé, who each delivered crowd-pleasing performances and homages to Parton. Marcos Aycox, aka the Tatted Violinist, also delivered an electrifying set.
Additionally, out MS NOW host and 2026 Out100 honoree Eugene Daniels took the stage to promote The Advocate Journalism Project, a new nonprofit fundraising initiative intended to help the publication keep reporting queer history as it happens and safeguard nearly 60 years of it already in print.
Eugene Daniels, Lisa Kudrow, and Andrew Scott at the Out100Willa Cutolo
The event had many LGBTQ+ stars in attendance. In addition to Scott, the red carpet was walked by fellow Out100 members Kandi Burruss, Hayley Kiyoko (Girls Like Girls), James Ortiz (Project Hail Mary and Them's Person of the Year), Latrice Royale (Stop! That! Train!), Ezra Sosa (Dancing With the Stars), Sherry Cola (Joy Ride), comedian Judy Gold, Lushious Massacr, athlete Cal Calamia, club king Andrés Rigal, Alphabet Mafia Consultancy founder Matthew Conrado, William Schultz, Karim Diané and Kerrice Brooks (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy), Gym Bar owner Erik Braverman, Scott Evans, Juan Bonilla, Boston Globe journalist Emily Sweeney, drag artist Lauren Banall, and Fort Lauderdale mayor Dean Trantalis.
Gia Gunn at the Out100Willa Cutolo
Also walking the carpet were Raven-Symoné, Danny Pintauro, Anthony Bowens, R.K. Russell and Corey O'Brien, Gia Gunn, Manila Luzon, Dan Bucatinsky (The Comeback), Jake Borelli (Grey's Anatomy), Jaymes Mansfield, Sam Asghari (The Traitors), Bruce Vilanch, Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Mike Manning (Beyond the Gates), celebrity makeup artist Kalyd Odeh, Vincint, Dahveed, and equalpride CEO Mark Berryhill.
The Out100's music was produced by Daisy O'Dell, and DJed by Brenna Jordan and Mez Monty.
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The Out100 is presented by Lexus, with support from McDonald’s, Deutsche Bank, P&G, NYX Professional Makeup, Hornitos Tequila, AIX Rosé, Heineken, Visit West Hollywood and ABC Owned Television Stations.
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