Grindr Teams Up with Coalition Plus for International Testing Week 2024

International Testing Week, the largest global campaign raising awareness about the importance of testing for individuals and public health, is taking place from November 18-24, 2024. Grindr for Equality is teaming up with Coalition Plus to support the fifth annual campaign by connecting users with information on local services in the Grindr app, underscoring our commitment to the health and well-being of our global community.

Connecting the LGBTQ+ Community to Vital Health Resources

International Testing Week has rapidly become the world's largest HIV and STI testing campaign, with nearly 74,000 tests conducted in 2023. This initiative offers free testing for a range of conditions, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and certain cancers like cervical and anal cancer.

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Grindr works to bridge the gap between our 14 million users and essential health services by providing in-app access to sexual health resources, partnering with organizations to offer free HIV and STi testing, and launching information campaigns on critical health issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. 

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We recognize that access to testing and healthcare can be challenging due to stigma, discrimination, and other barriers. By partnering with Coalition Plus and local organizations, we're working to make testing more accessible and to promote informed choices about personal health.

Coalition Plus’ Plan for 2024

• Testing as a Gateway to Health: Knowing your HIV status is a crucial step. A positive result can enable timely access to life-saving treatment, while a negative result opens the door to preventive measures like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Despite being a highly effective way to prevent HIV transmission, many in the LGBTQ+ community are still unaware of PrEP and how it works. Taking a moment to learn about it could be a game-changer for your health.
• The Importance of Regular Testing: Routine testing plays a crucial role in ending the HIV epidemic, and Grindr makes it easier than ever to stay informed. Simply open the app, navigate to your profile settings, and tap the “Free HIV Home Test” button to order your free test kit today.
• Access to Prevention: Testing is not just about diagnosis; it's about connecting people to resources to prevent future infections.

How We’re Supporting You

We’ll be sending messages to users in the following countries, providing information on local services where you can book a test or speak with a health navigator:

• Argentina: Fundación Huésped
• Belgium: EX ÆQUO
• Bolivia: Instituto para el Desarrollo Humano (IDH)
• Brazil: FOAESP
• Canada: COCQ-SIDA
• Colombia: Red Somos
• Ecuador: Kimirina
• Spain: Stop Sida
• France: AIDES
• Guatemala: CAS
• Hong Kong: AIDS Concern
• Portugal: GAT
• Mauritius: Collectif Arc-En-Ciel, PILS
• Romania: ARAS
• Ukraine: 100% LIFE

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For users outside these regions, we encourage you to visit our multilingual help page: Find HIV/STI Testing Services, available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, or explore resources provided by Coalition Plus.

Removing Barriers to Healthcare

We understand that accessing healthcare can be challenging. Populations most affected by HIV are often those furthest from formal health services, facing multiple layers of stigma, discrimination, and even criminalization. By investing in community-based strategies, Grindr for Equality and Coalition Plus aim to reach these groups and ensure they can access prevention, testing services, and connections to formal healthcare.

How You Can Take Action

• Get Tested: Use the resources available below to find a local testing site or access at-home testing options.
• Stay Informed: Learn about HIV, STIs, PrEP, and other preventive measures.
• Support Your Community: Encourage friends and loved ones to get tested and share information about available resources.

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For more information, please visit our Help Center or Coalition Plus.