- Outright International honours GiveOut’s founding Executive Director Rupert Abbott with Outstanding Award
- The Outstanding Award recognises those who have advanced the human rights of LGBTQI people worldwide
- Under Rupert’s leadership, GiveOut has grown from a bold idea to an international community foundation, raising over £5 million and supporting LGBTQI rights activism worldwide
[London, 26 February 2025] GiveOut is thrilled to announce that its founding Executive Director, Rupert Abbott, has been honoured with Outright International’s Outstanding Award.
Headquartered in New York City, Outright International is a leading global LGBTQI organisation, and this year is celebrating 35 years of advocating for the human rights of LGBTQI people worldwide.
The Outstanding Award recognises individuals and organisations demonstrating exceptional commitment to advancing LGBTQI human rights. Rupert Abbott was honoured with the award at a reception in London, in recognition for his work building and leading GiveOut to grow giving for LGBTQI human rights.
As founding Executive Director of GiveOut, Rupert Abbott oversaw the launch of the organisation in early 2018. Under his leadership, GiveOut has grown from a bold idea to an international community foundation, bringing the LGBTQI community and corporate allies together to raise over £5 million, and channel new funding to support LGBTQI rights activism around the world.
This funding has supported life-changing and sometimes life-saving work by LGBTQI activists. This has included campaigns to decriminalise same sex-relations in multiple countries, the establishment of safe houses and community centres, and vital research on the harms of so-called “conversion therapy” and the impact of climate change on LGBTQI people.
The funding has also supported efforts to promote public understanding and change attitudes, and emergency assistance in times of crisis, from evacuating LGBTQI people from Afghanistan to supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Maria Sjödin, Executive Director of Outright International, said:
“Rupert’s leadership has been defined by generosity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to resourcing grassroots movements. Through his vision, the organisation has expanded its partnerships, grown its funding for frontline activists, and opened new avenues of impact. His legacy will be felt for years to come, not just in the grants awarded, but in the strengthened movements and deepened connections he has fostered.”
Rupert Abbott, Executive Director of GiveOut, said:
“Thank you so much to Outright International for this recognition. I’m deeply touched and proud to receive this award. This honour is shared with everyone who has been part of GiveOut – our incredible team, committed trustees, dedicated supporters, and, most of all, our courageous partner organisations around the world. At a time when our rights are under threat globally, our work together growing giving to fuel the global movement for LGBTQI human rights is more important than ever.”
Background
About Rupert Abbott
Rupert Abbott is the founding Executive Director of GiveOut. A qualified lawyer with 20 years’ human rights and social impact experience, Rupert founded the strategy consulting firm RightsStart, partnering with founders, philanthropists and other for-purpose leaders to turn great ideas into impact.. He has held roles with the Human Rights House Foundation, Amnesty International, the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials, and the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.Outside of GiveOut, Rupert serves on the Board of the Association of Charitable Foundations and the Supervisory Board of Climate Counsel.
About Outright International
Outright International is a leading international human rights organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Outright strengthens the capacity of the LGBTQI movement worldwide, documents human rights violations against LGBTQI people and advocates for the human rights and equality of LGBTQI people with partners at the United Nations and around the globe.
About GiveOut
GiveOut is an award-winning international community foundation bringing together our community and allies to support LGBTQI human rights activism worldwide. We pool the donations we receive to provide grants to LGBTQI organisations around the world, ensuring they have more of the resources they need to defend our communities, tackle inequality and campaign for lasting change.
To arrange interviews and for more information, please contact:
Luke Smith
Communications and Campaigns Officer
luke@giveout.org
020 8156 7643