Michael Rapley (he/they) brings extensive experience working within and alongside grassroots LGBTQI movements. In 2013, he was a founding member of Equals in Barbados, where he served as Director and Project Manager for ten years. During this time, he established the Caribbean’s first community-based PrEP clinic, advocated for the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected characteristic under Barbados’ Employment (Prevention of Discrimination) Act, and was a litigant in the successful legal challenge that led to the decriminalisation of same-sex relations in Barbados.
Michael also brings over five years of experience in grant-making and supporting grassroots organisations. Prior to joining GiveOut, he worked in the Programmes Team at Kaleidoscope Trust, providing capacity-building and technical support to LGBTQI organisations globally, particularly in community organising, research and human rights advocacy. He also worked closely with The Commonwealth Equality Network to develop and implement its Capacity Building Strategy.
Michael brings to GiveOut’s Grant-Making Team a deep understanding of grassroots activism, extensive experience supporting LGBTQI organisations, and strong connections across the global movement.