Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC announced that award-winning actors Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin will be 2026 recipients of the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award. This prestigious annual award, presented by Equality PAC, recognizes extraordinary allies of the LGBTQ community who have proudly, relentlessly, and without hesitation stood up for LGBTQ individuals and their rights.
Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna pose for photos at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party.
“Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin represent the very best of what allyship looks like in action,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Across decades of groundbreaking work on screen, they have not only helped shape our culture, but consistently used their voices to affirm the dignity, humanity, and rights of LGBTQ people. Their support has been proud, unwavering, and deeply meaningful to a community that continues to fight for full equality. We are honored to recognize Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin with the 2026 Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award and to celebrate their extraordinary commitment to justice, inclusion, and love.”
“We are honored to receive the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award from Equality PAC,” said Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin. “The LGBTQ community has given so much to our world—through art, courage, humor, resilience, and an unrelenting push toward progress. We have long believed that being an ally is not a passive label, but an active responsibility: to listen, to speak out, and to stand firm in moments when equality and basic human dignity are under threat. Right now, we are witnessing a White House and Republican Party attack vulnerable communities, demonize trans people, and take away rights that we worked so hard to secure. If there was ever a time to stand up and speak out, this is the moment. We are grateful to Equality PAC for this recognition and proud to stand with so many advocates who continue the vital work of ensuring that everyone can live openly, safely, and authentically.”
With her signature looks, sharp wit, and savvy business acumen, Lisa Rinna remains one of the most recognizable and versatile figures in entertainment and pop culture. In the realm of television, few can boast such an enduring and prolific career as the small-screen queen. Rinna most recently starred as an original Traitor on Season 4 of Peacock’s hit series The Traitors, and has guest starred on series including So Help Me Todd, Lopez vs. Lopez, and American Horror Stories. A mainstay of pop culture for decades, Rinna solidified herself as a household name through her eight-season run on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, where her candor and charisma made her one of the franchise’s standout personalities. Her extensive TV résumé also includes memorable roles on Veronica Mars and HBO’s Emmy-nominated Entourage, as well as comedic appearances on The Middle and Community. Rinna has also taken her acting talents to the great white way, starring as Roxy Hart in the hit Broadway musical Chicago.
Beyond acting, Rinna has built a formidable presence as a host and media personality, frequently appearing as a guest co-host on Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Talk, and Access Hollywood. She has also hosted major red carpet broadcasts for awards shows including the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. With a massive social media following and an ever-evolving career, Rinna continues to expand her brand. A successful entrepreneur, her fashion lines have been long-standing bestsellers on QVC. And following the release of her highly anticipated memoir (You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It) in February 2026, Rinna is a two-time New York Times bestselling author. Through her work across entertainment, fashion, and business, she continues to redefine what it means to be a modern multi-hyphenate in Hollywood.
Harry Hamlin first rose to prominence starring in the cult classic Clash of the Titans and the groundbreaking film Making Love, before becoming a household name—and People’s “Sexiest Man Alive”—during his time on L.A. Law. He later earned an Emmy nomination for his role on Mad Men and appeared in a recurring role on Shameless. He currently stars in Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches and partnered with AMC on In the Kitchen with Harry Hamlin, a half-hour series spanning linear, digital, and streaming platforms. On the big screen, he recently appeared alongside Jane Fonda in 80 for Brady. Beyond acting, Hamlin is the founder of TAE Technologies, the world’s largest privately funded clean fusion energy company. He has also made his mark in the culinary world with the launch of Open Food Company and his signature line, Harry’s Famous Sauces. Most recently, he co-launched the Dear Media podcast Let’s Not Talk About the Husband with his wife, Lisa Rinna, continuing to expand his creative footprint across entertainment and beyond.
Rinna and Hamlin will receive the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award at Equality PAC’s annual National Pride Gala on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Washington, DC’s historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This is Equality PAC’s largest event in terms of attendees and fundraising each year. Previous recipients of the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award include Emmy Award winning actor Eugene Levy, Academy Award and Golden Globe winning actress Mary Steenburgen, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Ted Danson, political strategist and commentator Ana Navarro, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
Equality PAC’s primary mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. Beyond this goal, Equality PAC also supports strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws. All funds that Equality PAC raises are directed to re-elect and expand our small – but mighty – LGBTQ caucus and to elect a pro-Equality Majority in the House of Representatives.
Today, Equality PAC remains the only identity PAC that financially supports every Frontline Member and Red2Blue candidate because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for – and are still fighting for every day – remain in jeopardy.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, it has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire).
And in the most recent elections, Equality PAC notched three huge historic wins: in TX-32 with Julie Johnson who made history as the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Texas or the South; in WA-06 with Emily Randall who made history as the first ever queer Latina elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ Member from Washington state; and with DE state Senator Sarah McBride in DE-AL as the first trans person ever elected to Congress.
With their elections, we have DOUBLED the number of LGBTQ women in the House from 3 to 6. And for the first time ever – there is parity within the LGBTQ caucus with 6 women and 6 men serving together in the House. This is an incredible accomplishment. On top of this, 5 of the 12 LGBTQ persons serving right now in the House are persons of color. These are incredible accomplishments for our community and its representation in Congress
Equality PAC has grown exponentially since its founding by Congressman Mark Takano and former Congressman (now Governor) Jared Polis in 2014 – when we raised $32,000 from some very loyal and trusting friends who took a chance on us and the experiment we were at the time. Today, we are extraordinarily grateful to have deeply committed and generous supporters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico – and throughout the grassroots, labor, and business communities.
In total, during the 2023-24 election cycle, we raised and spent an impressive $23.4m for Equality PAC and direct contributions for our endorsed Members and candidates, state Party funds, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and independent expenditure efforts. As we look to the 2026 election and possible opportunities – particularly in potential open House and Senate seat races – we anticipate making even more history and growing the LGBTQ House Caucus deeper into double digits and electing at least two new LGBTQ Senators.