Diagnosed with HIV in 1985, Ron Chaplin has several years of experience working to support gay rights issues and the HIV/AIDS movement in his community. He is current Chair of the Ottawa Coalition on HIV/AIDS and also chairs two committees: OCHA's Safe Inhalation Committee and the Communications Committee of the African Caribbean Health Network of Ottawa, of which he is also a founding member. He is also a past Chair of AIDS Walk Ottawa and the AIDS Committee of Ottawa and sat on the City of Ottawa's Advisory Committee on Health and Social Services. A strong advocate for gay rights, Ron has been a member of the Board of Directors for Egale Canada, the country’s largest gay rights organization, and chaired their Political Action Committee.

Ron is an active member of the Anglican Church of Canada. He is vocal in his support of same-sex unions and has served as a convener on the Diocesan Task Group on Gays and Lesbians.